I want to try some antler carving. I have acquired a moose antler palm and a small ram horn to try. I have a used turbo carver, some diamond and carbide dental burrs. But there are no instruction books on the subject and I'm not sure what I am going to encounter once I cut in, other than I know it will be a fine powdery discharge in the air and it will stink to high heaven. I heard someone was doing it a the Doane summer carving classes. Unfortunatley I am too far down the senority list to get a week and a half off from work in the summer. I've found alot of pictures to use as reference material but few people talking. Should I just plan on this being a trial and error project? Pam

The ram horn will be hollow so you won't be able to go very deep with your cuts. I've never tried carving antler but it sure looks good when done by someone who knows what they are doing.

Good luck!

Jerry S.

[Kenny_S]

First of all, wear a mask. Second, think of what you are wanting to carve in the antler before you start.
Like Jerry said, the ram horn is hollow and your carving will be determined by that depth.
Power tools is the best way but can achive a nice end product with knife and soaking the antler in water for and hour.

Ken

Hi Pamela.
If you are into powercarving you need a way to get rid of the dust. I designed a dust system built around a blower from a heating and air unit. The dust is blown into my back yard and keeps it from getting all over the house. I would be glad to send you the drawings free if you will e-maile me you mailing adress, there is to much to send by e-amil. Juat put dust system in the adress line so I don't think its spam.
Jack D.

[terryb]

Originally Posted by Guest

Hi Pamela.
If you are into powercarving you need a way to get rid of the dust. I designed a dust system built around a blower from a heating and air unit. The dust is blown into my back yard and keeps it from getting all over the house. I would be glad to send you the drawings free if you will e-maile me you mailing adress, there is to much to send by e-amil. Juat put dust system in the adress line so I don't think its spam.
Jack D.

Hi Jack D.
In reference to t note to Pam on the blower I would appreciate getting some information from you in regards to this method of removing the dust as it is becoming a problem for me. Kindly email me with this information , I would sincerely appreciate it, or my mailing address is Terry Boudreau, 31 Harborview Crescent, Louisdale, NS Canada B0E 1V0. Thanking you in advance for your help with this matter, I am a new member and have just introduced myself under moose antler carving. Any other comments or advice would be appreciated - Terry Boudreau

[squbrigg]

Hi Pam, welcome aboard. Looking forward to seeing what you can do with those pieces.....antler and horn can produce some beautiful pieces....just be careful with the dust. A good quality mask is essential, not just a paper disposable one, but a canister tight fitting one, with a good dust control system too. Antler dust is particularly nasty stuff, carries bacteria as well as being an irritant to the lungs. The carving results can be worth all the extra precautions, I've seen some beautiful designs and carved pieces......the finish is so ....alive! Good luck and again...welcome aboard.

Bob

[Ky_Whittler]

I make deer antler predator calls. Definately use a mask and some kind of vacuum or blower system to keep the dust away from you even if it's just a fan over your shoulder.

If you would like some ideas of what can be done with horn just hop over to predatormasters.com the hand calls forum and take a look at the howler post's there. Tony Tebbe is doing some fantastic work with inlay and a scrimshaw type of carving. Placing a horn in boiling water a few minutes will soften it for a short while so that you can use a knife on it too outline if you wish. It will also kill a lot of the bacteria in the with horn as well.

When you seal them treat them just like any wood with a clear sealant. Deft is very good. Whittler

I realize this might be more advanced than what your looking for right now, but anyone with an interest in antler carving should really view this sight and bookmark it.

www.shanewilson.com

[don]

Wow! anybody who wants to see incredible carving should check out the site And he shows how he goes about doing it too. Thanks for the link. Don