brass guard on stag handle

[bbrocksc]

I just put together a knife from a whitetail antler and did not think about the antler shrinking down as it dries out. I colored the epoxy with antler dust to hide any line between the brass guard and antler. Right now you cannot see any space bw antler and guard. My question is, how much will the antler shrink, or will of be noticeable at that junction at all? The antler I used was a from a deer killed at Thanksgiving 2011.

[argel55]

Most of the scoring themes say a 60 day drying period before measuring. Would think this would apply here also.

[xspook2158]

I let antlers and or horns air dry for 1 year.

I have never used them sooner then that, so not sure about the shrinkage, if used earlier.

Wish, I could help more.

Jeff

[Larry Peterson]

If I may,

I experienced the "schrinking" many years ago and determined that throwing the new antler into a berlap sack for 4 years was best for me. I cut the piece for the handle and drill out the pithy center. I then spray it down good with dysinfectant, like they ues in the bowling alley for bowling shoes. I use a lot of antler and this also gives me a nice time frame to purchase antler and to plan out how much I will need.

Four years may be some "overkill" but there has been no schrinkage with this practice.

Best wishes, Larry Peterson

[Eli Jensen]

If it shrinks significantly in the future, could you just grind down the brass?