Been working a lot more frequently with mammoth tusk and tooth and thought I'd pass along a few little tips and tricks for those just starting to use it on their knives to save some heart ache and cost. Hope you enjoy the pics and a if you glean a little help, that's ok too! (none of this is rocket surgery but it might help someone)
New drill bits - I've started using only fresh bits on all tusk material, particularly crosscut sections of tusk and all tooth. These pieces are most susceptible to "blowouts"
drill bits - Find a good size guide and order bits that are just the frogs hair larger size than your pin whether it be a numbered or lettered bit
Epoxy - Found that putting a thin layer over the handle where I'll be drilling (or super glue) helps prevent blowouts and repair.
Acrylic - You can also try clamping the handle between acrylic pieces and drilling through - I've had good success with that as well.
Ahhh, and save your dust left over from drilling in the rare case you need it to fill in any gaps mixed with superglue - you'll never know there was a small blemish if needed.
The first is a clippoint(ish) hunter I just finished with some gorgeous blue center cut mammoth tusk while the other is a niter blued Damascus hunter I made and stopped it at a nickel patina type finish. (fwiw, I appreciate and prefer the full hand filed vine patterns vs. a machine filed vine as you see the detailed curves stand out and add to the craftsmanship side of things)
New drill bits - I've started using only fresh bits on all tusk material, particularly crosscut sections of tusk and all tooth. These pieces are most susceptible to "blowouts"
drill bits - Find a good size guide and order bits that are just the frogs hair larger size than your pin whether it be a numbered or lettered bit
Epoxy - Found that putting a thin layer over the handle where I'll be drilling (or super glue) helps prevent blowouts and repair.
Acrylic - You can also try clamping the handle between acrylic pieces and drilling through - I've had good success with that as well.
Ahhh, and save your dust left over from drilling in the rare case you need it to fill in any gaps mixed with superglue - you'll never know there was a small blemish if needed.
The first is a clippoint(ish) hunter I just finished with some gorgeous blue center cut mammoth tusk while the other is a niter blued Damascus hunter I made and stopped it at a nickel patina type finish. (fwiw, I appreciate and prefer the full hand filed vine patterns vs. a machine filed vine as you see the detailed curves stand out and add to the craftsmanship side of things)
Attached Files
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