Old Boggy Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 (edited) Decided to use an antler fork to make a thumbstick from one of my remaining seasoned hazel sticks, but have a dilemma. This is a work in progress as I`ve yet to finally shape and polish the bleached cow spacer and apply Danish oil to the shaft etc. The antler fork is far from even with one tine much smaller and thinner than the other. I normally cap the tines with black buffalo horn but as the larger tine is quite dark, decided on cow horn as a contrast. However, I`m not happy with the smaller tine, which I think needs something added. The alternatives so far therefore are -: Leave it as it is (pretty boring) Add a cow horn tip (might look strange as it`s so small) Add a black buffalo horn (might look odd against the opposite cow horn) So I`m looking for inspiration from the likes of Boo or Stimo who are far more experienced and capable than me to advise what could be done to enhance the overall look of the stick with another alternative. You may think that if that is all I`ve got to worry about when the `Cantley Mole Strangler` (see the long standing thread) has far more important issues to deal with, then I should think myself most fortunate. Any advice, ideas or criticism would be greatly appreciated, even if the advice is `make sure next time to get a more even bit of antler`. OB Edited June 20, 2020 by Old Boggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 Could you cap the small tine in silver or copper? He ain't the Cantley Mole Strangler at the moment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 1 minute ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Could you cap the small tine in silver or copper? Beat me to it - I was about to say brass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalkedUp Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 I would keep it as it is, looks good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmboy91 Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 Would a RF/CF case cap it? I too quite like the idea of something shiny on there too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diver One Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 Lave it alone OR Brass Once you go Brass you won't go back As its so small I would go for a brass bolt keep threaded shank Roughly file head to shape epoxy threaded part Ito the antler finish file, emery, polish, done ✅ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 Just leave it . It is what it is . Spend more time looking for the next one to make . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 i will make a sock out of a norfolk moleskin and you can put that on.............(it may be a while) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted June 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 35 minutes ago, ditchman said: .........(it may be a while) I think that even `a while` is wishful thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 Definitely a dead mole within the week, have faith. Tines sticking up in the air always worry me. I would however leave as is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 Make the thin one into a dog whistle thats what mine has,,, must say was not done by me bought at penrith game show about 8 years ago handy if out with the dog and forget the normal whistle... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boo Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 As suggested would leave alone , just cap the one side , looks natural.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 35 minutes ago, hawkeye said: Make the thin one into a dog whistle thats what mine has,,, must say was not done by me bought at penrith game show about 8 years ago handy if out with the dog and forget the normal whistle... tyhats a good idea,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,i was always paranoid about losing my dog whistle i usually had 4 knocking about...and so did everyone else... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatchap Posted June 20, 2020 Report Share Posted June 20, 2020 Needs Brass.!! I would either polish it right up proper shiny see how it looks then either leave it, or as said make it into a dog whistle, or maybe cut the end off, drill out the tine and use it for a fire stick, Nice bit of brass as a handle on the firestick ,maybe? Or a bit more drastic, cut that smaller tine off completely right back like this... Then cap off the scar with a nice bit of buffalo horn or brass, and hey presto thumb stick to hiking stick. Think it would look pretty cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boo Posted June 20, 2020 Report Share Posted June 20, 2020 Old boggy , tip it in cow horn , would of used cow horn as the spacer as well , maybe a thin section of white bone or buffalo either side of it , leave the tip on the other side as it is , be a simple yet classy thumbstick ....sometimes less is more... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted June 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2020 Yes Boo, I agree, should have used cow horn as the spacer. Too late now of course, but I will add a cow horn cap to the smaller tine. Just don`t like the idea or looks of the bare tine. Perhaps next time, I`ll heed your good advice or even ask for it before I start. Thanks again. It`s always good to have constructive criticism. It`s the only way that I`ll learn and perhaps get it right next time. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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