Aug 11 2007
Small and Simple Antler Comb
Start by scoring and breaking off a palm of antler. The antler in question here is reindeer/caribou antler. As usual, use hot water when working antler.
Score or scrape along the edges so you can split the piece with a wedge. My split wasn’t totally successful, but I actually think the result got better because it ran off. It gave a stronger handle.
Start scoring the teeth.
The teeth should be rombic in cross section and of course have a little spacing in between. This you can achieve by scoring, splitting and abrading with a rough piece of quartzite between the teeth.
The handle was engraved with a stone flake. Take several turns, score first superficially, then deepen the grooves. The grooves can be highlighted with a mixture of charcoal and wax (best in my opinion) or charcoal and fat.
Torjus
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2 Responses to “Small and Simple Antler Comb”
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Is there a market anywhere for something like this? I saw similar items for sale at a primitive trade show. Not for me, but for you to sell? ~Survival Acres~
Yes
I could probably sell them at viking or medieval gatherings. Not so many (as in none) primitive gatherings in Norway.