With elk season nearly upon us, and the anticipation of an elk down I am wondering how to use the bone for knife handles.
Ideas? I can't seem to find any tutorials in my usual quiver of knife sites...
Here is what I do.
Take the bones you want to use ( I use the shinbones )and if you plan on cutting them into halves, go ahead and do that. Rake out the marrow and soak the bones in a solution of water and laundry borax. Every couple days turn them around in the mix just to expose them to the borax better. After a couple weeks, give them a good scrubbing and let them air dry. Put them in a dry place for a few months and soak them in linseed oil and let that dry. All this takes time, but the results are good.
Does the Borax just get all the grease and bone stuff out of the bone Lin? Do you let them dry for a few months after the water/borax soak and THEN soak in linseed oil? Does the epoxy hold well after the oil soak?
I have a blade to fool with and this gives me a good idea as I have lots of bones to use.
Thanks
Chuck
I always let them dry good after each step. When I do any gluing, I acetone the surfaces to be glued.
What I like about natural bone is the color.
Lin,
Do you have a picture of a knife that shows the final appearance of some of the bone that has been treated in the way you describe?
Allan
Allan, Here is one from a few years ago. I have a set of scales on my desk that are ready now for a hunter sized knife. They are this color. I had it put up on a shelf in my shop while in "tube form". It must have fallen off. Our young Lab was chewing on it and I took it away from her.
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/16/23019131_0f352fa046_z.jpg)
Thanks a bunch! The timeline is just fine. Now for the elk to cooperate!