Am I the only one...

Yup,

When it is done right, it is gorgeous. Campbell has some that is just done right. I do not like the dyed brown stag, I would rather have bone.
 
I feel about stag the same way I feel about most damascus. Too often, IMO, damascus is used purely for the sake of using damascus, rather than to compliment the design elements of the knife. Sometimes it works well, sometimes it's like putting mag wheels on a Ford Model T. Alone they might look nice, but combined they just don't look right together.

I feel the same way about stag handles. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. And I know this is a contradiction since no 2 pieces of stag are the same, but symmetry, to me, is one element of beauty. So it's a rare example when I can look at a particular knife and say "wow, beautiful stag, it really compliments the knife well". Usually I'm indifferent to it; I think bone would be prettier. Sometimes it's downright ugly. It depends entirely on the specific example. At least in my eyes. For example, one website has 3 GEC knives, all the same model, within a few serial #'s of each other, all in "amber stag". All 3 look very different. All look good too, but still very different. It was suggested to me in a different thread only to buy a certain brand's stag if I could see the exact knife I would be getting, from all angles. Too much possible variation that I might not like.

In other words, I don't necessarily like stag simply because it's stag.
 
You know, to me, whether it is stag or jigged bone just doesn't do it for me. Maybe on a nice desk knife, but on a folder I like MOP or more specifically black lip pearl with all the colors in it.


-Xander
 
cnas122 said:
Nuff said....

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YUP! Nuff said it is :thumbup:
 
Planterz said:
I feel about stag the same way I feel about most damascus. Too often, IMO, damascus is used purely for the sake of using damascus, rather than to compliment the design elements of the knife. Sometimes it works well, sometimes it's like putting mag wheels on a Ford Model T. Alone they might look nice, but combined they just don't look right together.

I feel the same way about stag handles. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. And I know this is a contradiction since no 2 pieces of stag are the same, but symmetry, to me, is one element of beauty. So it's a rare example when I can look at a particular knife and say "wow, beautiful stag, it really compliments the knife well". Usually I'm indifferent to it; I think bone would be prettier. Sometimes it's downright ugly. It depends entirely on the specific example. At least in my eyes. For example, one website has 3 GEC knives, all the same model, within a few serial #'s of each other, all in "amber stag". All 3 look very different. All look good too, but still very different. It was suggested to me in a different thread only to buy a certain brand's stag if I could see the exact knife I would be getting, from all angles. Too much possible variation that I might not like.

In other words, I don't necessarily like stag simply because it's stag.
Click to expand...

Good analogies and well said (and not just because I tend to agree). It's interesting hearing people's opinions on this. I hadn't though about the symmetry angle, but I think that's part of it for me, too.
 
For me it's a toss-up...

On a new knife it depends solely on how the bone/stag looks "fresh." Then I like to fast forward in my mind on how the bone/stag will look after years of pocket carry and make my decision. There's nothing quite like a nice pocket-worn set of bone or stag.
 
Just wanted to throw this out there for the "stag can be awesome" guys. The sides off of an old J Rodgers congress. Note that each scale maxes out at just a hair over 1/8" thick.

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-- Dwight
 

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to me it depends on the single pair of scales on the examined knife
if I can see both sides and none protudesor may give troubles holding the knife it'sfine for me

I like GEC's stag, own a 53# and in most pics it looks good, case's is particular as I don't like most handles
other brands have nice smooth stag so I may like it

I'm currently more a fan of bone but don't dislike stag if a good one

Maxx
 
I love stag because it adds a look and feel of randomness and asymmetry (like in nature) to a knife that has already perfect machined lines.
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I don't think there's a handle material I like better than quality stag. But like everything else it has to be done right. Inferior is inferior, whether it's stag, jigged bone, or wood.

Fortunately this carving set has the good stuff.

henckelscarvingset1.jpg



- Christian
 
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