Deer Foot And Antler-Handled Knives

Deer Foot And Antler-Handled Knives AG WORLD 29-6-21 "They make unique gifts. No two are alike," says David Wooten, Greenville, Ga., about the deer foot and antler-handle knives he makes entirely by hand. Wooten finds a knife blade that he likes, removes the handle, and installs a deer foot or antler in its place. To use a deer foot, he first cures it in salt until it's rock hard, then drills a 2 1/2-in. deep hole through the bone to remove the marrow. Then he grinds part of the blade down and cuts a couple of notches into it. Epoxy is used to glue the foot to the blade. The process for antlers is similar, except that he first applies a clear lacquer to the antler. "I've been making these knives for about five years and often sell them at car races. They're quite popular," says Wooten. "The blades can be up to 1 ft. long. On some blades I attach an antler with a crown on it. I do everything by hand and don't even use a vise. People often ask me if the hair on the deer feet will fall out. I tell them it won't because the feet have been cured in salt." The knives, complete with a leather sheath, sell for anywhere from $30 to $100 plus $10 S&H, depending on blade quality and size. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, David L. Wooten, 694 Hugh Oneal Rd., Greenville, Ga. 30222 (ph 706 672-2628).

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