Pins and antler question

[dereklee12]

I want to give antler scales a try but I want to keep them intact as much as possible. My question is how do you keep the antler around the pins intact? I dont want the pins to stick out to far and grab some hand skin but I dont want to sand them down and have big circles around the pins where the antlers are smooth. I am not sure if this has been talked about before, I'm sure it has been. If anyone has a tutorial they could link or any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Derek Lee

 

[Frank Niro]

Just use a dremel or such to gring the pins down to the horn level in the natural pockets of the horn. Frank

 

[Mr.Svinarich]

When trying to sand down on antler (I never use antler) I would use a small needle file.

 

[Rudy Joly]

Use a head spinner and put a nice domed radius on the pins. I made my own from 1/4" steel rod...drill down partially into the end of the rod then taper to a cone on the grinder. Use a larger diameter drill than pin size and file in 1 or 2 serrations with a needle file.

Or you can go this route.
http://www.knifemaking.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=head+spinner

Rudy

 

[JDW]

Cut your pins to the proper length, and chuck them in your drill press, and using a file, round the end to form a dome, then sand with sand paper to the grit you like and swap ends and do the same thing to that end.
Hope this helps

Dale

 

[dereklee12]

thanks for the tips everyone!
Derek