Find stag scales

[HoosierQ]

I have one of those Sabre "Original Bowie Knives" made in Japan. Had it since I was a kid. Nice blade on probably its fourth handle.

In its original configuration it was a "cowboy bowie" with the flat oval guard and super-cheap molded plastic stag or jigged bone...you know, the kind that are actually hollow with the mold marks visible...pinned on with what were probably peened nails as pins...no adhesive. Needless to say these fell off in like 1969.

It seems that these were pretty decent blades with el-cheapo handles or sometimes nicer handles. I would like to restore it to "cowboy bowie" configuration, make a western sheath for it with a concho or whatever.

Where can I find stag scales? Knife kits has very small ones. They have some jigged bone and I am not opposed to going that route at all. Sambar stag? That's expensive and I don't need that...any old stag would suit me just fine? Elk maybe?

I have always been a wood guy so I am new to this. Can anybody recommend someplace that sells stage scales that'd be up to maybe 5 inches long or so?

 

[Patrickknives]

Your selection will depend on your budget, Alpha has some elk http://www.alphaknifesupply.com/barkbone.htm or you may try the exchange section, there is elk for sale time to time, maybe contact some previous sellers, 5" in stag can be pricy. There is also bone carved to look like stag I think culpeper is the place to look for that.

 

[Seals]

Culpepper has a amberized stag bone i think would be the way i would go.Elk is usually too fat and light colored for that knife imo.

 

[HoosierQ]

Thanks a million guys. Culpepper is great!!!! I love just about all those bone patterns...stag bone, the jigged bone...all that bone is great. Putting $50 dollar sambar scales on what was probably a $3 knife would be silly. Culpepper is just what I was looking for.

This is my first post in this subforum and I am glad to learn from you all.

Thanks again.

QB