primitive dirks

[Spc. Scott]

I didn't realize that roe deer antlers had no pith. I've used whitetail antler to put a new handle on a couple knives and the pith is really the thing that makes the way I learned it possible.

[Nighthawk]

Mark, thank you!! Those are exactly what I'm doing! I have the dirk made, and yes, it is antler. Those are beautiful. I'm approaching the 4000 post mark, and it still amazes me the level of knowledge and craftsmanship in this community.

[Mark E.]

I didn't realize that roe deer antlers had no pith. I've used whitetail antler to put a new handle on a couple knives and the pith is really the thing that makes the way I learned it possible.

Roe deer antlers do in fact have pith-but not so much in the very early varieties, at least it isn't as porus. I have been planning a sgian-but am at odds whether to partially slab tang it and cross pin into a larger roe antler, or go with a small stag crown I have-the stag crown is like a starfish inside, and I have no idea how to work with it. Yet. I don't have the skill to make natural materials like ivory and wood beautiful with most things-the spike roe deer antlers make it a lot easier, at least with small things like by-utinsels.