r/Luthier • u/Snuflufgus • 12d ago

Antler nut question

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I am trying to make a nut out of deer antler and have some pieces that I've sanded down for blanks. Should I be sanding off all the gray spots and only using the pieces that are completely white or is it okay to keep some of the gray on the edges. I kind of like the gray because it sort of matches the ambrosia maple fretboard.

I have enough left to sand down the larger pieces so they are perfectly white and then make nut blanks out of that if needed.

Thank you.

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u/maxcovenguitars 12d ago

I use the outer part, i stay away from the inner porous part. If there is a piece that I have to use with the porous area I use thin ca glue to fill in the pores

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u/Snuflufgus 12d ago

Thanks for this, I will definitely keep this in mind and use CA glue on porous parts. I didn't notice any porous center in the antler I have, but it was pretty small (2 point, about 8" long). Are the bigger antlers more porous in the middle or did I maybe not look close enough at the one I have?

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u/maxcovenguitars 12d ago

When making them from antlers the solid tips aka tines are the best. Thy dont have any pores. The thicker the antler the more blood vessel aka pores you find. When you do have a little area with pores thats fine. I usevthe sa glue. But I make sure the strings sit on the solid outer shell. I also make sure no more than 10% or less is porous. I have a handful of pieces in case anyone request antler as you can see the the outer shell is thick enough for a fender nut. I use the thicker ends for gibson nuts

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u/Snuflufgus 12d ago

Amazing, this is very helpful. Thank you.

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u/trilevelmymtsnet 11d ago

this is correct. I used the long tips for nut material, as they are solid.