Photos available at http://www.byu.edu/news/releases/Jun/antler.htm
Kip Christensen, who coordinates woodworking instruction for BYU's technology education program, has been turning for 20 years.
"As far as I know, I'm pioneering the use of antler for artistic turning," says Christensen, an associate professor of technology education. "Antler has been used as a craft medium for centuries, but apparently it has not been used to create artistic work on a wood lathe."
Craftsmen have also long used burls, the growths on trees reminiscent of warts, to make bowls or rounded containers. The irregular grain patterns and diversity of color make burls an appealing medium.
The round mass at the base of a rack of antlers, known as a burr or rosette, carries some of the same visual properties as a tree burl. Since elk shed their antlers naturally every year, they can be acquired in the wild or from craft companies without harming the animals. Christensen decided to put a burr on his lathe and give it a whirl.
Once Christensen found he could use antler on his lathe like he does wood, he began turning out small jewelry holders, bowls and lidded containers. He also uses antler to make inlays as accents for many of his wood pieces.
When a burr is spinning on the lathe, Christensen applies pressure with chisels and gouges and cuts away material until the remaining piece possesses the smooth profile he desires. He often leaves the irregular edge on his antler pieces, giving them a unique, natural look.
He takes pride in producing containers with lids so finely machined that they fit with just the right amount of friction.
The exacting work requires a precise eye and a good measure of patience--one small mistake can nullify long hours of labor.
"When you mess up, you can't just add some more material and start over," he says. "All you can do is make the whole thing smaller or begin with a new piece."
When asked how long it takes to perfect one of his small containers, the craftsman responds, "Time isn't a critical element--I don't do it for a living, I do it because I enjoy it."
Christensen has turned other kinds of antler, bone and a variety of rare woods on his lathe.
"I like elk antler best because it is relatively large and colorful," he says. "Deer antlers are too small; moose antlers work well but are not as colorful as elk."
Christensen's novel antler work was featured in the American Association of Woodturners' exhibition at the San Antonio Museum of Art last summer. Photographs of his antler and wood pieces have been published in numerous woodworking books and magazines. Collectors pay several hundred dollars each for the tiny containers.
"Woodturning has experienced a national and international renaissance in the last two decades," Christensen says. "Now you can get tools and equipment that were never thought of 20 years ago. Currently there is some very creative work being done on the wood lathe. There's no end to what can be done as far as materials and shapes are concerned."
Amen, says Dale Nish, a BYU professor emeritus of woodworking who travels internationally giving woodturning lectures and demonstrations.
"Kip is the one who started experimenting with antler turning, and there's really no one else using it for artistic lathe work," says Nish, who will participate in the International Wood Collector show in Australia this fall. "Kip's work is as good as anybody's, anywhere."
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Contacts: Kip Christensen: 801-378-6310 (work)
801-489-1266 (home)
Dale Nish: 801-373-0917 (work)
801-373-4581 (home)
Note: Dr. Christensen will be on vacation after July 2.
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