Thread: Genuine, Rocky Mountain Elk Bone Scales !!!

Yes you read it right, this project started back in the middle of August on this ATV ride... In fact if you look real close strapped under my pack on the back of the ATV is a mess of Elk leg bones and ribs that the wife found just before we took this

YouTube - Riding the ATV

I got the idea in my head that I was going to make scales outta them...Well the story started that Sunday night in chat, because I was talking about doing just that, and Bill/LegalBeagle jumped fast, and says "I want them" So after all this time and so much work prepping the bone, in fact prepping two sets of bone because I didn't like the first set of blanks... This is the final outcome a set of Genuine Rocky Mountain Elk Bone Scales for Bill's "Akatombow" Japanese frame-back razor...
The wedge is re-con Amber and I used Tri-metal stacked washer and NiAg pins...
I have never been so careful peening pins I can't even tell you how many hours of work are actually into these..
Bill I hope you like them the project took long enough, the only thing that could have made this better is if one of us had hunted the Elk ourselves LMAO maybe next time...

Very nice work as always, the scales are very similar to one I finished this evening

I just nabbed some bones (and antlers) from my brothers elk a few weeks ago, and was wondering how to go about breaking them down, I was thinking about slabbing them off with a band saw. How did you do it?

They look great, by the way. I don't think that there's anything better looking than a properly executed set of bone scales.

it is beautiful. Anyone who has cut down bone understands what went into it... it is not an easy task.

WOW!!

Glen, I am really looking forward to getting this one back and seeing it in person. The scales turned out better than I could have imagined and that amber recon wedge really sets it off nicely! A true work of art!

I sincerely appreciate the time and effort that clearly went into this project. I guess I was very lucky to jump quickly!

Those are beautiful scales. Has my little mind thinking......

Glen, those are just beautiful scales. I don't know how you get any work done though.
If I lived in the mountains like you do, I wouldn't be able to get *any* work done.

Beautiful scales, beautiful country. That was a great view. I'd love to ride a bicycle on that road. I think I'd be packing my 2 1/2"bbl 44 mag though. I'd hate to be lunch for a griz.

Those scales are awesome. I'd love to put a pair of those around a medium to large W&B with a barber notch, smile and humped tang. Some cool domed old timey looking domed washers or something. Great job Glen.

Originally Posted by chay2K

I just nabbed some bones (and antlers) from my brothers elk a few weeks ago, and was wondering how to go about breaking them down, I was thinking about slabbing them off with a band saw. How did you do it?

You have to process them first, all biological processes have to be stopped...
There are several ways to do this, but the way I learned involves a boiling pot and Hydrogen Peroxide.. Look up European Elk Skull Mount and you will find some ways to work the bone...
After that it is just a matter of cutting and sanding the shapes, I would not even attempt this with out two things in hand... A good Belt Sander on the bench and a really good respirator on my face...

The Antler is more of an artistic thing Chay, depends on the look you want to how you cut it and sand it...

Great Stuff!!!!!

Thanks Glen,

Lynn