first sgian dubh

**McMurdo** · 11th February 08, 04:05 PM

It looks great BB good luck getting the blade out my suggestion, is leave it and if you wish make another.

**Tartan Hiker** · 11th February 08, 07:14 PM

If you really want to try a poured bolster cut the antler back about 1/2". You'll lose that neat flare in the antler, but the bolster can be filed to form a more graceful transition between antler and blade. That's what I'd do, and that eliminates the need to unstick the glue.
The poured bolster will not readily "stick" to the antler if it's just a plain blunt end, so you may want to drill a couple of holes at odd angles into the end of the antler so the pewter has a bit more purchase.

My only concern with this solution would be the length of the tang. Drilling a couple of 1/8" holes right through the antler and the tang in two places and pinning with a brass or bronze rod would make the whole thing more sturdy and less likely to let go if the glue failed. The glue will prevent the bolster from helping lock the tang in place, so pinning might keep things from moving. Grease the pins and pin holes with epoxy.

**Standard** · 11th February 08, 07:23 PM

Looks good BB. I think that if you can get another piece of antler leave this one as-is for $6.00 and time spent and use what you learned with this one on your next project. Can't wait to see pictures of it. Now, if I can just find the old deer shed that I had lurking in the basement I feel a project coming on myself.