Yeah, more info on the preform would help, snapping can happen at different stages for different reasons; usually a support issue. As for elk billets; elk is not as preferred as moose but it'll work. Being that's what you have you can make some tools from it. The billets come from the base where it attaches to the skull, you cut it and round off that part. Pressure flakers/punches come from the tines and you can use the odds/ends for other things so save 'em.