My good husband killed a small buck the first day of deer season here in Missouri last Saturday. I want to use the antlers, particularly the bur where the antler joins the skull, to make some buttons. Does any one know how to do it then how to prepare the buttons, polishing, etc.?

I have some very pretty tan/gray wool spun and waiting to be knitted up. I would love to do something special for him and use the buttons from the antlers on it. Thanks for your help.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), November 13, 2000

Answers

Marilyn, hopefully someone will respond who has done this, but as far as I know, you only need to cut slices of antler, and polish them. Shouldn't need any preservative or finish at all. You will need a small drill bit to bore the holes for the threat to fasten them on, unless you want to try shank buttons (risky, in my opinion, but you screw a small eye into the back of the button. I think the material would have to be fairly thick to hold the screw part, though).

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), November 13, 2000.

Hubby has done some wonderful things with deer antlers and a dremel tool. Kinda stinky, but the results are quick and satisfing. It'll even polish them smooth, somthing you need to think about if you are thinking of using 'em on a sweater.

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), November 13, 2000.

Marilyn, I have made antler buttons, and they are not hard to do. Saw the antler into slices. A band saw is the fastest, and has the thinist blade. You can do them by hand also, it is a little tough to hold them though. I have used a vise with padding, old pieces of blanket, or something like that. I cut them a little thicker than I want them to end up as I sand them smooth on a piece fine sand paper. Lay the sand paper flat on a table or workbench and rub the button back and forth over it. You can taper the edge of the button at this time. A tapered button is easer to get in and out of the button hole. When you have them almost smooth, drill a couple small holes in the button, and then finish sanding the last little bit. This takes the rough edge of the drill hole down. Finish with some paste wax or polish. Steve

-- Steve Collins (collins@cpinternet.com), November 13, 2000.

Marilyn, please take the time and effort to make the buttons! My Aunt made me a sweater many years ago-all that is left of it-are the cherished antler buttons!

-- Kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), November 13, 2000.

I'm enjoying this thread. My mother has told me about buttons my grandfather made from deer antlers in Austria. Only the privileged could hunt, but he was a kind of "forest master" and picked up deer antlers after they had dropped. Wish I had seen some that he had made.

-- Chelsea (rmbehr@istar.ca), November 14, 2000.

My friend makes knives, belt buckles and jewelry for me from all sorts of animal bones, hornes and antlers.

He has even sold some to country music stars out of Nashville, TN

His name is Gary Tucker Hopkinsville, KY 270-269-2969. He uses a simple rubbing compound that makes them really shine.

Natalie

-- Natalie Allison (natalieallison@yahoo.com), November 16, 2001.