carving antlers

Can i use regular carving tools for carving antlers , or would i ruin the tools ? Thanks for any help. Ive wondered for a long time.

Antlers are hard as rock so you're gonna have to sharpen alot. A buddy of mine carved a set of moose antlers with a dremel and said it was slow goin. The antlers created an extreemly fine dust during machine carving. His chest tightened right up as a result. My best advice is to get a good dust mask or even respirator if your gonna power carve. If your carving by hand- it might be real tough. What kind of antler do you have? Good luck. keep us posted

[Callynne]

* * Thanks for asking this question, my husband has tons of antlers and suggested I just carve them when I want to add antlers to a carved buck. *I don't power carve so sounds like it's not something I even want to try! *Callynne

[Nancy_G]

Oh, callynne...... we feed whitetail herds in our back yard all year 'round and I search & search the woods for shed antlers and have never found a one. You'd think those ungrateful beggars could leave me ONE >

I don't want to carve an antler ...... I just want to set it on a shelf with some carved fish, crawdads & ducks.

[Callynne]

* * Hey Nancy, just checked back here before getting off line and saw your post. *My husband wants to know how many you want, and do you want them unmarked or ones that have been chewed on by the mice and squirrels? *Yummy, those little guys must have really sharp teeth! Callynne *

[AlArchie]

Best way I've found, Nancy, is to carry a hacksaw in the car and when I spot a road-kill, it's time to saw! Haven't seen any bucks this year yet, but winter isn't over yet.

Al

[Nancy_G]

Al - that's 'cause all the bucks are in your back yard where they know they're safe !!

And Callynne, don't try to kid ME. I know mice and squirrels don't eat antlers........they eat sunflower seeds and peanuts just like all the other ungrateful beggars around here. Last week a pileated woodpecker moved in. He eats two $1.39 blocks of peanut suet per day.

Arggghhh!!! Cutting antlers off road-kill? No, I just can't take it anymore!! I realize it's a good way to get the antlers, but I'd be so overwhelmed with grief for the poor animal, I'd never be able to look at it, let alone carve it.

My dad never did like it when I went on his hunting trips with him

Teri

HMMMMMM!! Want some Antlers ? Just wait til Dec. 25 and a little fat guy will deliver some right to yer home !

I soaked deer antlers in warm water for a while and kept soaking them as I carved. I have cared eagle heads and names and made key chains.
Deer antlers are calcium and the little criters love them.

Keep those chips flying,

Ken