How I make my antler measures

[B.Barker]

Ok guys I posted a how to somewhere on the net and never found it. So I'm going to do another one to try to help a young man and maybe some others. I took a photo of the tools I use to do about 90% of my work with the one file I missed was a round needle file. I also use three square and square needle files some but I can get by with out them. When I make my measures I file out the exterior first and hollow out the measure second. I like to have a long piece of antler so it's easier to hold on to. The only time I use a vise when making antler measures is when I cut the excess antler off. I usually start with a 6" to 8" piece and end up with something in the three to five inch range. Ok so I rough out the measure with a half round double end file. I use the coarse end for most of the rough work and use the finer end to make the moldings. I switch over to a finer cut half round file to smooth things up and get a bit more definition. Then I use my pocket knife to scrape the exterior surface to get rid of the file marks and slick it up. Once I get it like I want, I then cut the extra length off and drill a pilot hole. The pilot hole is usually 3/16" to 1/4" rarely do I use a drill larger. After I have the hole drilled I will use a round needle rasp to work the hole larger. I also use a chisel to enlarge the hole but you really need to be careful using a chisel for this. I use a chisel when the antler is pithy and I soak the antler in hot water for ten minutes or so to soften the pith up for easier removal. I also make the hollowed area tapered(see photo). I use my knife to smooth up the hollowed out area as far down as I can. I usually taper my thong hole from both sides also. I use my pocket knife for this step also. Once all this is done then I will put on the embellishments. If the embellishment is cross hatching I use a file, for scrimshawing I use a modified carving knife. I hope this helps a few out there and if you have questions please ask.

[Ky-Flinter]

Thanks Brian.  Great how-to.

-Ron

[Huntschool]

Brian:

Excellent build instructions.  Thanks for showing them.

[Percy]

Nice build along, thanks for sharing.

Percy

[Tim Crosby]

 Thanks for taking the time to post this. In the tool line up what I like is your pocket knife, one of yours I'm sure.

  Tim

[hanshi]

Thanks for the powder measure tips.  And, yes, it really doesn't take a whole lot of tools to make them.

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  ... thanx, Brian,... great instructions,... I've never scratched on antler,.... do you soak the measure in anything before scrim or just scratch with sharp tool,.....? 

[B.Barker]

Tim, yes the knife is one of mine.

Dana, I usually soak them in hot water for ten minutes or so. It will soften them up enough to make it easier to engrave.

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  ... thanx, Brian,... figured they would be much harder than horn and difficult to scratch,... your designs scratched in look great,... gonna try on next one,.. probably look properly primitive,... !!! .....

[msellers]

Thanks Brian, this is a very quality easy to follow description and drawings.

Mike

[Martin S.]

Thank you for posting this.  Great information!