Finished a Few

**NOTSHARP** · 08-20-2011, 08:38 AM

I've made a few brushes for a local craft fair in September.

Steve

**Angry__Panda** · 08-20-2011, 09:12 AM

DUDE!!! Those are sweet! I LOVE the asymmetrical handles, that one antler that is like the split off of where two antlers were together is really cool, kind of big heh, but really cool. Also I really like the bottoms you added...The little yellow, red, green, etc. lines and then the different materials really go well with the brush. Good luck with your sales at your craft fair.

**NOTSHARP** · 08-20-2011, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Angry__Panda

DUDE!!! Those are sweet! I LOVE the asymmetrical handles, that one antler that is like the split off of where two antlers were together is really cool, kind of big heh, but really cool. Also I really like the bottoms you added...The little yellow, red, green, etc. lines and then the different materials really go well with the brush. Good luck with your sales at your craft fair.

Thanks.

The one you refer to is here http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...t=#post3338815

Fingers are crossed for September

Steve

**Tippman** · 08-20-2011, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by NOTSHARP

Thanks.

The one you refer to is here http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...t=#post3338815

Fingers are crossed for September

Steve

Its like a shaving brush with a pistol grip. I really like them and think you will do really well with them. You may have found your self a niche in the market.

**snatiep** · 08-20-2011, 10:28 AM

Steve, Beautiful pieces!

I just acquired some elk antler pieces and a few knots from The Golden Nib and am going to try my hand at making a couple of hand made brushes. Any tips for working with antler?

Also, where did you get the metal collars?

Great Work!

**NOTSHARP** · 08-20-2011, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by snatiep

Steve, Beautiful pieces!

I just acquired some elk antler pieces and a few knots from The Golden Nib and am going to try my hand at making a couple of hand made brushes. Any tips for working with antler?

Also, where did you get the metal collars?

Great Work!

Glad you like them

I've never worked with Elk antler, so I don't know if it has a honeycombe center like Red deer antler. That makes life a little more difficult

Once cut, I soak the center with Ronseal Wet Wood Hardener. Leave it for a day or so and the honeycombe sets hard.

I cut it with Japanese wood saws, rough shape with wood rasps, then final shape with engineers files. Smooth with abrasive cloth roll and wet/dry, 60,120,240,400,600,1000 grit. Polish on buffer using four grades of compound. Finish with Bees Wax.

Do not let it overheat when buffing. It burns quite easily.

The collars are from http://www.highlandhorn.com/ferrules...-fixings/5.htm

Steve

**alex2363** · 08-26-2011, 02:25 AM

excellent workmanship. lovem

**JCinPA** · 08-20-2011, 10:34 AM

WOW! Very off-the-beaten-path, but gorgeous! I would bet they sell like hotcakes. Awesome craftsmanship!

**Greyfox** · 08-20-2011, 10:35 AM

Very nice work indeed. Thanks for sharing.

**snatiep** · 08-20-2011, 10:58 AM

Thanks Steve!

The elk antler I have seems just a little porous in the middle, but fairly dense.

How is your Red deer antler for drilling? Are you using a fostner bit?

**NOTSHARP** · 08-20-2011, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by snatiep

Thanks Steve!

The elk antler I have seems just a little porous in the middle, but fairly dense.

How is your Red deer antler for drilling? Are you using a fostner bit?

I use a spade bit or hole saws, depending on size, in a pillar drill.As with the buffing, drill slow speed. If you use hole saws, back off often to clear the teeth.

It's easy enough to drill.

This is a walking stick head that has been treated with wood hardener and polished.

It is the crown of the antler. They get more honeycombed as the antler lengthens, until they become more solid towards the tip.

Steve

**xmacro** · 08-27-2011, 08:14 PM

So are these for sale?

**NOTSHARP** · 08-28-2011, 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by xmacro

So are these for sale?

They will be for sale at:

http://www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk/home.asp

I'm not in business. It's just a hobby.

Our local potter opens her studio for NEOS, and she asked if I would show some of my work, which is mainly walking sticks.

Steve