Antler Tampers

Perique

Lifer

Sep 20, 2011

4,098

3,884

www.tobaccoreviews.com

• Sep 28, 2013

• #1

I have some spare antlers laying around and thought I would make a tamper or two. Seems like a straightforward project. I notice, however, that most who make antler tampers use a piece of metal at the end (usually the cartridge brass). is this necessary? Or will using the bare antler to tamp burn the antler?

 

winton

Lifer

Oct 20, 2010

2,318

771

• Sep 28, 2013

• #2

I use lots of materials to make tampers. If I think the material burns well, like oak, I might leave off cap. If I don't know or don't want to find out how it burns, I use a metal cap or cartridge. Obviously, if your tamper catches fire, you are doing something very wrong. But do you want to smell / taste burning antler?
Winton

 

crazypipe

Lifer

Sep 23, 2012

3,484

0

• Sep 28, 2013

• #3

I don't hunt never did ,but i sure would like to have one of those.

 

burlpettibon

Starting to Get Obsessed

Sep 1, 2013

210

1

Tacoma, Washington

• Sep 28, 2013

• #4

I'm right there with Teddy, I wouldnt mind picking one up when you are done!

 

Perique

Lifer

Sep 20, 2011

4,098

3,884

www.tobaccoreviews.com

• Sep 28, 2013

• #5

Winton: no, not keen on burning antler taste. Not sure it would actually burn though. I'll experiment and see what happens with plain antler. Can always cap if experiment fails.
Teddy and Burl, I'll let you know when I make some.

 

buzkirk

Part of the Furniture Now

Apr 14, 2009

656

752

61

Humboldt Tn.

• Sep 28, 2013

• #6

Nope, not an issue, leave it naked !
Antler is ALL I use, never had a problem, just wipe clean with paper towel to clean up.
You can see mine on the Tamper/Tools thread.
Once you get the rough shape you want, use Swiss files to embelish
Tom

 

ejames

Lifer

Oct 6, 2009

3,916

22

• Sep 28, 2013

• #7

There used to be a Gent who went by Papa Duke who made antler tampers,mostly without a tip if I remember correctly. Looks like his website is no longer up and running. As long as the tamper is not subjected to prolonged contact with the burning tobacco it should work fine. If you smell burning hair....

I prefer to use a shell casing or a brass tip I make on mine.

 

Perique

Lifer

Sep 20, 2011

4,098

3,884

www.tobaccoreviews.com

• Sep 28, 2013

• #8

Thanks Tom! I'm looking forward to getting started. Unfortunately my to-do list is pretty large, especially during kidding season (goats). But I'm going to squeeze it in during the evenings.

 

crazypipe

Lifer

Sep 23, 2012

3,484

0

• Sep 28, 2013

• #9

Yed i sure would like to have one ,the next time you make some .

thanks teddy

 

bullbriar

Can't Leave

Mar 6, 2013

495

10

• Sep 29, 2013

• #10

Here is a tamper I built last spring out of a spike antler and the rim from the cartidge that I shot my first deer with years ago. I recessed the rim into the antler so it doesn't show, and I cut the antler on the bias for two reasons. First, so I could hide a pick in the tamper, and second, so I could use the cut end as a beveled tamper.
I made the same design for my father, but I left the base natural antler, uncapped. There have been no problems with the antler touching embers.

Good Luck

 

bentmike

Lifer

Jan 25, 2012

2,422

37

• Sep 29, 2013

• #11

That's a fine tamper bull. Very cool.
Perique good luck! Post up a picture when you make your antler tamper.

 

Perique

Lifer

Sep 20, 2011

4,098

3,884

www.tobaccoreviews.com

• Sep 29, 2013

• #12

Thanks mike, will do.
Bull, the pick is a good idea. How did you get the antler to stay fastened back together when not using the pick?

 

bullbriar

Can't Leave

Mar 6, 2013

495

10

• Sep 29, 2013

• #13

Perique,
I used a piece of stainless welding rod. After I epoxied it into the tip I gave is a very slight bend. That bend will lock 'er in.