Do stag handles change with age?

[Markesharp]

What I find interesting about stag is how the "pith" comes off when rubbing the stag like a worry stone.

My #73 new and used mark side

pile side

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[fatcorgi]

Are you sure that isn't just indigo blue denim dye?

could be, but the photo accurately reflects its greenness, so I think the verdigris explanation is most plausible...unless the yellowness of the stag mixes with the blue.

 

[John L]

Here is my favorite stag beauty when she was new:

Here she is after about 3 years of pocket carry and regular use:

There is no other handle material I know of that ages so gracefully and becomes more beautiful over time. Stag is the best.

Sambar stag and other stag I suppose gets its' color from two sources......dirt and sprayed potassium permanganate when leaving India for critter control. PP is an oxidizer not a stain though it does stain the stag. The example above is a very good one. Shows the PP treatment and what happens over s few years or over many years with handling. Dirt and PP is rubbed off and eventually the stag will turn the amber/yellow/khaki/cream color. You cannot get all the dirt off as the stag is porous. Almost all stag now sold has been colored with PP as this is what people now expect. Same thing happened in Sheffield 100-200 yrs ago. It is great stuff.....stable, textured for good hold, nice color.......everything to like unless you don't.....!

 

[Campbellclanman]

Thank you John - folks you probably wont get a more knowledgeable guy on Stag! and oh Man can John bang on a decent slab of Stag on his knives!!!!

Here is a great example of how Stag looks when its old, it just gets better and better and............

 

[Old Engineer]

Thank you John - folks you probably wont get a more knowledgeable guy on Stag! and oh Man can John bang on a decent slab of Stag on his knives!!!!

Here is a great example of how Stag looks when its old, it just gets better and better and............

Duncan : Those pictures show why I like Stag. I just wish mine would age like that while I am around to enjoy them like that. Thanks for the great picture. Do you have an idea of the ages ????

Harry

 

[Campbellclanman]

Hi there Harry, thank you for the comment, these Sheffield's would all be extremely early 1900's, possibly one or two border-lining the very late 1800's.