Antler Carver from Idaho

knight · #1 03-24-2006, 08:14 AM

I'm a self-taught carver, working primarily with elk antler, although I also work with deer, caribou, moose and ram's horn.

I first started this about 20 years ago, worked for a couple of years and then got married. The marriage was the priority, so I didn't start carving again until '04 (still married tho...Bev encourages me to carve.)

I'm just now discovering these boards and hope to be able to learn from them.

I have a site with most of my carvings on display at http://www.knightscrafts.ws if anybody is interested.

Just for scale, the frames in the pictures are 4"x4"

AlArchie · #2 03-24-2006, 08:18 AM

Looks like another unique carver showing up! Welcome, and those are some impressive pieces!

Al

Colin_Partridge · #3 03-24-2006, 08:47 AM

Nice carvings I have been interested in these for years. A friend of mine gave me boxes full of deer and moose sheds. He used to collect them in the mid west on his atv. Are sheds good to carve? I have heard also that there is a lot of bacteria that comes from the dust is that also true. Look forward to your imput on this board I am sure you have a lot to offer us.
Colin

Callynne · #4 03-24-2006, 09:05 AM

Welcome, AlArchie said it well, another unique carver showing up! And what great work you do! Very creative!! Thanks for sharing! Again, Welcome, it's good to have you with us!

Deborah

squbrigg · #5 03-24-2006, 10:59 AM

We like 'em, we like 'em!

Welcome aboard. This is a great little family of carving folks here and we love to see new members and their work. Unique stuff, looking forward to seeing more!

Bob

Anthony Filetti · #6 03-24-2006, 11:18 AM

Welcome aboard Knight from a former Idahoan!!! (Idaho Falls area...)

Ya got some great stuff there and we can't wait to see more.

wade clark · #7 03-24-2006, 11:30 AM

Hi and Welcome!
I went to your website, very nice! You've been busy! I especially like the belt buckles. Very nice!
Wade

whitecree · #8 03-24-2006, 11:47 AM

Welcome, indeed! Just came back from your 'site and you have some good looking work there.

Mottles · #9 03-26-2006, 09:35 AM

Welcome to WCI and nice work! Thank you for sharing.
Kathy

knight · #10 03-26-2006, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin_partridge

Nice carvings I have been interested in these for years. A friend of mine gave me boxes full of deer and moose sheds. He used to collect them in the mid west on his atv. Are sheds good to carve? I have heard also that there is a lot of bacteria that comes from the dust is that also true. Look forward to your imput on this board I am sure you have a lot to offer us.
Colin

Hi Colin,

In answer to your question, yes sheds are good to carve. To understand the work involved in carving antler, it is important to know a little about the material.

Antlers emerge on male elk in the spring and continue to grow (in
some cases up to 1/2-inch per day) throughout the summer. They
begin as a cartilage-like substance covered by hairy skin, called
velvet. In order to keep up with rapid growth, the bull's body
mobilizes calcium from it's entire skeletal system. Minerals are
replaced in the skeletal bones with dietary nutrients as antler
growth slows.

During the fall rut testosterone levels increase causing
mineralization of the cartilage-like tissue. After the breeding
season hormonal levels drop weakening the tissue at the base of
the antlers causing them to fall off.

As far as the bacteria goes, it is not anything that I've ever run across...I wouldn't worry about it. I do wear a dust mask when I'm carving, though.

I use a jewelers saw for all of my cut-out work, a dremel for the majority of the actual carving and a micro-torch (butane) for my coloring effects.

I've also used files, knives, sand paper, and anything else that will give me the effect I'm after.

Good Luck...looking forward to seeing your carvings.

Knight