Moose Antler Tenkara Line Holder 2.0

New Moose Antler Line Holder with TUSA traditional line.

Since I first carved a moose antler into a line holder to be used to hold my tenkara lines I have looked for ways to improve them or simply make them bigger.  The originals were carved from the stem of the antler near the skull.  This section of the antler is like a tube and is less porous making it ideal for what I wanted.  However, I have only been able to obtain antler that had about a 2 to 2.5 " diameter.  I would prefer to have something that is closer to 3"  in diameter or larger. This would allow for a less tightly coiled line and therefore less memory in some lines. It would also allow a little more creativity in what can be carved onto the holder.  So basically I'm always searching for antler that is bigger.

Finished holder with another slice taken from the "paddle" for a future holder.

A few months ago I made a purchase of a piece of antler I thought was just what I was looking for.  turned out to not be what I was looking for but a very thick piece of antler paddle.  The paddle is the section between the stem and the antler tines or the pointy tips on the end of the antler.  At first I figured, "Well, this won't work" and planned to put it on E-bay to recoup some money.  But the more I looked at it the more I realized it could work for a different type of line holder.

This holder may have some advantages.  First, the slight bulge on one side acts like a nice place to hold the holder while winding line without getting fingers in the way (see above picture).  It's dimensions are approximately 4" long x 2" wide (at it's widest point) x ~0.25" thick.  The thickness is less than my original holder and may also be an advantage in some storage situations. The three connecting bars will also serve equally well with holding flies that are already on the line. One disadvantage though may be with the use of some lines that may develop "kinks" at the ends.  But a traditional tenkara line works very well.  

Original moose antler line holder and the "2.0" version.

It may not be perfect but it is functional.  In the end you have to work with what the antler gives you and in this case it gave me enough for another tenkara line holder.  Meanwhile the search for a larger diameter antler stem continues....