Bone/Stag?

[Blue Sky]

Does anyone have first-hand experience with natural handle materials such as bone or stag on user knives? I've got my sights set on a folding hunter for medium-duty, general outdoor use (field dressing game, cleaning fish, cutting tent stakes, etc.), but I'm concerned about how durable these materials are during prolonged exposure to hot, cold, rainy and/or snowy conditions. Should I expect problems with shrinkage, cracks, or....? I'm willing to care for it, but not baby it.

 

[Don Luis]

I´ve got a few stag handled knives that have seen some use and have seen one that what given tough use for years.

The one that was used heavily belonged to my grandmother, it was a German made folding hunter, we lived in an orange orchad in rural Mexico, the knife was used every day for everything. The scales shrank lengthwise separating from the bolsters, but no cracks, I believe this one received no maintenance other than cleaning after use.

My stag knives have seen only little use, as on picnics and in the kitchen, but after some 20+ years are in very good shape, My Puma prince folder has a small center pin crack, my Puma hunter´s friend fixed blade is like new.

I rub the stag scales about once a year with mineral oil, and make sure to always keep the knives clean, dry and sharp.

I only have one bone handled knife and it´s a cheap folder from the orient, not much used and has a center pin crack, fixed by filling with epoxy.

 

[Blue Sky]

Thanks, Don Luis. I appreciate your input!

 

[Keith Montgomery]

I have a few stag handled knives, have had quite a few more in the past and will have many more in the future. The stag has held up very well on all my knives. The stag has moved (shrunk) on a couple, so some gaps have appeared, but no cracks or chips.

I have had a few pocket knives with jigged bone handles and have never had a bit of problem with any of them.

Neither of these materials is at its best when wet. They can get slippery, but getting them wet won't harm them. Just clean and dry them, apply a little mineral oil and Ren Wax every once in awhile and they should be fine.

I have had no experience with giraffe bone, but it is very dense and should be pretty tough.

 

[beluga]

I have a couple of knives that sport stag handle and also bone handle. I like the bone better. From my firsthand experience, the black thing in the stag's groove comes off pretty easily when I wash the handle with water and dry it with towel. The knives were made by great makers (Joe Cordova MS, and Terry Primos), so I don't think they are defective. Because of that, I prefer bone or micarta.

BTW, any suggestions what I should I do with the stags ? Nope, I won't send them to you

Edit : I love ivory, bone and oosic. Girrafe bone is indeed very dense. I love it ! Probably one of my favorite materials.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Originally posted by beluga
From my firsthand experience, the black thing in the stag's groove comes off pretty easily when I wash the handle with water and dry it with towel.

What black thing are you referring to? I have never had the brown bark come of when washing or drying my knives.

BTW, any suggestions what I should I do with the stags ? Nope, I won't send them to you

And just why not, may I ask?