Bone & Antler buttons....

[Red Badger]

I have some antler pieces I messed up while trying to make powder measures and got to thinking... they are small but big enough so that if i cut them into slices I could sand them and make buttons out of them... then logic interfered...

Were buttons made out of slices using the softer inner piece or just formed from the harder outer shell.  From experience I know if they inner section gets wet it softens.... would this be a problem?

[david32cal]

i have antler buttons on several items,in fact most of my clothing have antler buttons,i've never had a problem with them. cut them about 1/8 of an inch thick,hit'em with some sandpaper,drill a couple holes and your good to go.

[Red Badger]

tanks David!

[FrankG]

I do the same but put a little super glue on the core as it sometimes crumbles , depending on age of antler.  Buttons needing strength I slab and shape avoiding the soft core.

[Red Badger]

thank you Frank

[FrankG]

You betcha JJ 

[Red Badger]

Cut some tonight and will polish them up and try them out... Lady Bulldog was impressed with them and is ready to start adding them to my clothing as soon as I get them polished and put the holes in em...

Only thing I didn't think to do was measure them before I put them through the bandsaw... they are definitely not all the same thickness... but close...

[mouse]

just don't cut those smaller buttons too thick.  they're a bugger to get thru the button holes.   antler tips make great toggle buttons for capotes and bags.

[Red Badger]

these are about 1/8 in thick and 3/8 to 1/2 in in diam.  I was thinking about toggles too....  I'll make some for the Capote Bulldog Lady (Di) wants to make for me...