New Handle Material
New Handle Material
I had wanted to try and find some moose and caribou horn for knife handles while I was there but had not been able to find anything for certain. On our trip I was excited to find a place that said they sold horn and antler. On the way back to Anchorage we stopped and I visited with the gentleman for quite a while and left a a couple hundred dollars lighter. It turns out that not only did he have horn and antler he also had fossilized ivory from Alaska and other fossilized bone. I have not worked any of this material yet so I don't know how it will turn out, but I'm really excited and hopeful!
I did not buy full sets of antler because of the waste involved and the fact that I couldn't get it in my luggage! I'm on some small pieces some of which already have knives on which they can go. In
In most of these are labeled and they're not I will explain what they are. Mammoth ivory This is the end of the shoulder joint and the broken off portion 1 be when the shoulder blade lives.
The smaller piece in the picture is the inner core of the Steppe Bison's horn. The Steppe bison was a prehistoric species that went extinct about 10,000 years ago.
The walrus teeth are not big enough for knife handles, though they might a necklace or a pair of earrings. Slices of the teeth might be in late and they handle a knife as a shield.
These last 2 pictures are petrified sea cow bone.
I thought I'd show what sort of material is available if you look for it.
I get tired of using the same old stuff all the time for handles!
Dale
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- Schradenut
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Re: New Handle Material
WOW Dale what an amazing trip for you both.
I saw some pics on Facebook with the Bears frollicking in the water and some lucky bloke catching a fish. The countryside looked spectacular, but i didn't know where it was.
I went to Alaska once a few years back and it is a wonderful place indeed.
You certainly came back with some amazing handle materials which you will put to good use.
Cheers,
Tony.
I saw some pics on Facebook with the Bears frollicking in the water and some lucky bloke catching a fish. The countryside looked spectacular, but i didn't know where it was.
I went to Alaska once a few years back and it is a wonderful place indeed.
You certainly came back with some amazing handle materials which you will put to good use.
Cheers,
Tony.
Re: New Handle Material
Dale-really sweet material! Can't wait to see what you accomplish with it!
Ryan
“That’ll be the day”—-John Wayne
“That’ll be the day”—-John Wayne
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Re: New Handle Material
I especially like the coloring of the walrus teeth. Any one could make a nice necklace piece.
Re: New Handle Material
Excited you got to spend time with your granddaughter plus all the new stuff you found to work/play with.
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Re: New Handle Material
Some very cool and unique pieces there, Dale.
Sure will make for some great looking scales, no doubt!!
Sure will make for some great looking scales, no doubt!!
Take care and God bless,
Steve
TSgt USAF, Retired
1980-2000
But any knife is better than no knife! ~ Mumbleypeg (aka Ken)
Steve
TSgt USAF, Retired
1980-2000
But any knife is better than no knife! ~ Mumbleypeg (aka Ken)
- Meridian_Mike
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Re: New Handle Material
VERY cool Dale....
How do you cut the fossilized bone?
.
Isn't that a lot like rock or petrified wood?
.
Looks like a good score on some good handle material!
How do you cut the fossilized bone?
.
Isn't that a lot like rock or petrified wood?
.
Looks like a good score on some good handle material!
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
Re: New Handle Material
Nice score! ...and a WAY more fun, shopping experience...than getting something on-line!!!
Heretical Refurb / Mods of cheap old folders, since late 2018
Re: New Handle Material
I too can't wait to see some of the finished knives using this material.
David
"Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife" Meat Loaf
"Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife" Meat Loaf
Re: New Handle Material
Looks like you'll be busy, Dale! That fossilized stuff might be hard to cut. I have mammoth molar that I used for a project, and that stuff was like cutting concrete diamonds.
The sea cow bone, that is Steller sea cow, right? That's nice stuff if it's not too pithy.
The sea cow bone, that is Steller sea cow, right? That's nice stuff if it's not too pithy.
Re: New Handle Material
Thanks guys, as you can tell I am really excited about it! My wife was tired and sat in the car while I was in the shop. When I can came out my step son was standing beside the car talking to her. I came out with all my treasures they looks at me like "Well?" I gave them three fist pumps and my wife said I had the biggest grin she had seen on my face! I was pretty pumped!
I believe it is Stellar sea cow. I have some that was supposed to be stabilized but is so porous I haven't used it. These pieces are much more solid. The fossilizing is not complete, it is more like mineralizetion. The guy in the shop said he cuts it with a band saw.glennbad wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 2:13 pm Looks like you'll be busy, Dale! That fossilized stuff might be hard to cut. I have mammoth molar that I used for a project, and that stuff was like cutting concrete diamonds.
The sea cow bone, that is Steller sea cow, right? That's nice stuff if it's not too pithy.
Dale
AAPK Administrator
Please visit my AAPK store: www.allaboutpocketknives.com/orvet
Job 13:15
"Buy more ammo!" - Johnnie Fain
“Evil is Powerless If The Good are Unafraid.” – Ronald Reagan
AAPK Administrator
Please visit my AAPK store: www.allaboutpocketknives.com/orvet
Job 13:15
"Buy more ammo!" - Johnnie Fain
“Evil is Powerless If The Good are Unafraid.” – Ronald Reagan
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