Excellent tutorial here, thank you Joe Gondek:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-one-me-30994/

I started with the first shed antler I ever found, during my third season moose hunting.



I wanted to practice up for making a sgian of my own, so I pinned a piece of steel into the hole I drilled in the pith.




Followed Joe's tutorial, got my rough shape in with a file and then sanded with grits 80, 120, 220, 320, 400, 600. Finished with fine steel wool and a couple coats of car wax. I did dremel in a recess for the clasp pin, epoxied in.





Pattern is CC Filson (Seattle) Alaska guide shirt. Weight is right at 50 grams, length 9cm, about 3.5 inches.



This process is a lot of file work, the sanding isn't too bad. I am using Lenox brand lead free solder, melts at 215C, 419°F; tin + copper + selenium. Ought to be < 1% copper, Selenium probably ~3% or less. No lead.

My first knife is already cooling, I hope the second one comes out decent and the third one comes out usable. Once I have made a good knife, then I will order in a sgian blade.