Bone Buttons

[LeeRoy]

I would think that it would depend on the type of garment that they are being used on,
light use or heavy.

Thanks for the replies.
LeeRoy

[Kermit]

Time to stop thinking and do some research. Seems buttons were made with one, two, three, four, and five holes, with FIVE being thought the most common. Also, buttons on clothing were for those with some monetary resources. Closing clothing with pins or hooks and eyes might be more HC in many cases.

Consider making buttons with one hole for a metal shank. Bone buttons were often just the forms for fabric covered buttons.

Read this. All of it. (Trying to open the links can be crazymaking since many are dead.)

A Woodsrunner's Diary: 18th Century Buttons. BONE BUTTONS.

Beware. Just because a button is bone doesn't mean it's old. Some folks think something from the 60's is an antique. Makes me prehistoric.

[LeeRoy]

Thanks for the link.
It is a interesting read.

LeeRoy

[Blackbruin]

I always found antler to be more durable and easier

[Mad Irish Jack]

I also think antler  more durable and easier to make buttons from. I had a friend give me a decent eight point rack. I use 1/32 to a 1/16 bit to drill holes for the thread. I set a homemade fence on the table plate of a band saw using the thinist, finest toothed blade I can use. This helps keep thicknesses even. I slice off the buttons and keep them in order. I put 4, 5, or 6 buttons to a threaded set. I use what I need and when I rondy I go to the clothiers and sell on the blanket. Sets of same size sell easier than having them picked through. You need to check local law about animal parts etc. You can also tint (dye) buttons and/or tell those who buy them.  I only have 6 whole racks out of my 31, plus many given to me, that I haven't sliced up and used for buttons, handle and other uses.

[Bison Horn]

I use antler buttons easy to make on the bandmsaw and hold up well. There is always a good supply of antlers. BH