What is the best way to split an antler for a full tang handle?

[jason29681]

Yea, so one of the first knives I want to make might have a stag handle. My biggest fear right now is messing the antler up by trying to cut it in half.

Also, I often wonder what you do if the handle is too thick, can you sand it down or will that ruin the outter appearance of the horn??

 

[oldwolf]

First you look at it for about a week figuring where to cut. I glue mine to a board and slice it with my Grizzly bandsaw. If you want to preserve the outside texture, cut the excess from the inside.

 

[tryppyr]

I never split them in half. I drill a hole and do hidden tang.

 

[combs6136]

I uae a table saw.....No problem...Straight cuts ea. time.....carl

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

On the few occasions I needed an exact split, I hot glued it to a board and ran it through the band saw.

 

[J.Marsillo]

Band saw and a rip fence(angle Iron)

 

[12345678910]

If you're splitting it - hacksaw / band saw here..

Then you are going to sand the insides that you just cut to be flat.

If you need to reduce thickness after that - keep sanding the insides, not the outsides.

 

[Mike Fennessy]

I've tried using the tablesaw and the bandsaw but both felt odd to me. I didn't really trust holding that awkward shape that close to either blade. Now I clamp it in a vise and cut it with a sawzall. I like it a lot better
I'll have to try the hot glue trick though, that's a good idea. Also, it's going to smell bad and probably isn't good for you. I use a respirator and try to make the cutting and flattening the last thing I do in the shop that day.