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- Apr 19, 2005
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CORRECTED COPY
OK,
Stag as we use it here is a catch all name for various species of deer whose antlers are used for knife handles. Now for Deer 101 class.
First off, no white-tails or mule deer here. They are considered inferior to these other species. Mulies are slightly better than white-tails. Both have large amount of 'pith' which is considered bad. Antler is farily stable and for some reason, maybe for the grip, we prefer the rough, dark color, lower sections near the antlers base. This is the area that also gets the most interaction with other antlers and numerous species of plants and plant sap. The lower sections comand the highest prices for handle material. The smoother upper antlers and tips are also used but are considered less desireable.
So off we go around the world.............................................First to the land of true Stag.
Red Deer, one of the two best
The Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) is one of the largest deer species. The Red Deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Asia Minor and parts of western and central Asia. It also inhabits the Atlas Mountains region between Morocco and Tunisia in northwestern Africa, being the only species of deer to inhabit Africa. Red Deer have been introduced to other areas including Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. In many parts of the world the meat (venison) from Red Deer is used as a food source. In New Zealand the sheep farmers dislike them and they are frequently shot out of helicopters. This is also the top dog antler because the old craftsman of Europe and England used it in what we consider the forerunners of the best knifes known in the western world. It's these guys we can blame for our antler addiction.
Sambar
(also sambur, sambhur, Tamil: Kadaththi maan, Assamese: Xor Pohu), is the common name for several large dark brown and maned Asian deer, particularly for the Indian species (Cervus unicolor), which attains a height of 102 to 160 cm (40 to 63 in) at the shoulder and may weigh as much as 546 kg (1200 pounds), though more typically 162-260 kg (357-574 pounds). The coat is dark brown with chestnut marks on the rump and underparts. The large, rugged antlers are typically rusine, the brow tines being simple and the beams forked at the tip. In some specimens the antlers exceed 101 cm (40 in).
Ecology
Sambars are primarily browsers that live in woodlands and feed mainly on coarse vegetation, grass, and herbs. They are diurnal animals who live in herds of 5-6 members, grazing on grass, sprigs, fruit and bamboo buds.
Sambar in forestThese deer are seldom far from water and, although primarily of the tropics, are hardy and may range from sea level up to high elevations such as the mixed coniferous/deciduous forest zone in the Himalayan Mountains sharing its range with the Himalayan musk deer. These deer are found in habitats ranging from tropical seasonal forests (tropical dry forests and seasonal moist evergreen forests), subtropical mixed forests (conifers, broadleaf deciduous, and broadleaf evergreen tree species) to tropical rainforests. Their range covers a vast majority of territory that is classified as tropical rainforest, but their densities are probably very low there. In these areas, the deer probably prefer clearings and areas adjacent to water. They live as far north, according to Wild China, as the southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains in Central China. In Taiwan, sambar along with sika deer have been raised on farms for their antlers, which they drop annually in April to May. Sambars are a favorite prey item for tigers. They also can be taken by crocodiles, mostly the sympatric Mugger Crocodiles. More rarely, leopards and dholes will take young or sickly deer.
Fallow Deer, notice palmated antler
The Fallow Deer was a native of most of Europe during the last Interglacial. In the Holocene, the distribution was restricted to the Middle East and possibly also parts of the Mediterranean region, while further southeast in western Asia was the home of a close relative, the Persian Fallow Deer (Dama mesopotamica), that is bigger and has larger antlers. Some game ranched in Texas.
A favorite target of Ted Nugent on his outdoor show.
Axis Deer, Famous for its spots and long antlers.
Axis Deer*
Order Artiodactyla : Family Cervidae : Cervus axix (Erxleben)
Description. A moderately large, spotted deer with three tines on each antler; the brow tine forms nearly a right angle with the beam and the front (or outer) tine of the terminal fork is much longer than the hind (or inner) tine; a gland-bearing cleft is present on the front of the pastern of the hind foot; upperparts yellowish brown to rufous brown, profusely dappled with white spots; abdomen, rump, throat, insides of legs and ears, and underside of tail white; dark stripe from nape to near tip of tail. Dental formula as in Cervus elaphus, but upper canines (the so-called elk teeth) usually lacking. External measurements average: (males) total length, 1.7 m; tail, 200 mm; height at shoulder, 90 cm; females smaller and usually without antlers. Weight, 30-75 kg in males; 25-45 kg in females.
The chital or cheetal (Axis axis)[2], also known as chital deer, spotted deer or axis deer is a deer which commonly inhabits wooded regions of Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and India. It is the most common deer species in Indian forests. Its coat is reddish fawn, marked with white spots, and its underparts are white. Its antlers, which it sheds annually, are usually three-pronged and curve in a lyre shape and may extend to 75 cm (2.5 ft). It has a protracted breeding season due in part to the tropical climate, and births can occur throughout the year. For this reason, males do not have their antler cycles in synchrony and there are some fertile females at all times of the year. Males sporting hard antlers are dominant over those in velvet or those without antlers, irrespective of their size and other factors. A chital stands about 90 cm (3 ft) tall at the shoulder and masses about 85 kg (187 lb). Lifespan is around 20-30 years(Ed note. This is not an typo from literature but I find it hard to believe)
The American contender....the Wapiti
The elk, or wapiti (Cervus canadensis), is one of the largest species of deer in the world and one of the largest mammals in North America and eastern Asia. In the deer family (Cervidae), only the moose, Alces alces (called an "elk" in Europe), is larger, and Cervus unicolor (the "Sambar" deer) can rival the elk in size. Elk are almost identical to Red Deer found in Europe, of which they were long believed to be a subspecies; however, mitochondrial DNA evidence from 2004 strongly suggests they are a distinct species.
Elk range in forest and forest-edge habitat, feeding on grasses, plants, leaves, and bark. Although native to North America and eastern Asia, they have adapted well to countries where they have been introduced, including New Zealand and Argentina. Their high level of adaptability poses a threat to endemic species and ecosystems where they have been introduced.
The Boy Scouts of Jackson Hole, WY as a age old tradition get to venture forth onto federal wildlife lands and pickup elk antler sheds in the areas where the yellowstone elk herd winters. Each May the antlers are auctioned off in batches and the proceeds go to the Scouts and other charities. Many are bought to go to the far east to be ground up into a powder to make a tea that is suppose to improve the manlyness of aging men.
Well, there you have it a biological overview of the creatures that may be found on a knife handle you already have or may someday buy. We call it just "Stag"
For your entertainment......300Bucks(I like Elk)
OK,
Stag as we use it here is a catch all name for various species of deer whose antlers are used for knife handles. Now for Deer 101 class.
First off, no white-tails or mule deer here. They are considered inferior to these other species. Mulies are slightly better than white-tails. Both have large amount of 'pith' which is considered bad. Antler is farily stable and for some reason, maybe for the grip, we prefer the rough, dark color, lower sections near the antlers base. This is the area that also gets the most interaction with other antlers and numerous species of plants and plant sap. The lower sections comand the highest prices for handle material. The smoother upper antlers and tips are also used but are considered less desireable.
So off we go around the world.............................................First to the land of true Stag.
Red Deer, one of the two best
The Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) is one of the largest deer species. The Red Deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Asia Minor and parts of western and central Asia. It also inhabits the Atlas Mountains region between Morocco and Tunisia in northwestern Africa, being the only species of deer to inhabit Africa. Red Deer have been introduced to other areas including Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. In many parts of the world the meat (venison) from Red Deer is used as a food source. In New Zealand the sheep farmers dislike them and they are frequently shot out of helicopters. This is also the top dog antler because the old craftsman of Europe and England used it in what we consider the forerunners of the best knifes known in the western world. It's these guys we can blame for our antler addiction.
Sambar
(also sambur, sambhur, Tamil: Kadaththi maan, Assamese: Xor Pohu), is the common name for several large dark brown and maned Asian deer, particularly for the Indian species (Cervus unicolor), which attains a height of 102 to 160 cm (40 to 63 in) at the shoulder and may weigh as much as 546 kg (1200 pounds), though more typically 162-260 kg (357-574 pounds). The coat is dark brown with chestnut marks on the rump and underparts. The large, rugged antlers are typically rusine, the brow tines being simple and the beams forked at the tip. In some specimens the antlers exceed 101 cm (40 in).
Ecology
Sambars are primarily browsers that live in woodlands and feed mainly on coarse vegetation, grass, and herbs. They are diurnal animals who live in herds of 5-6 members, grazing on grass, sprigs, fruit and bamboo buds.
Sambar in forestThese deer are seldom far from water and, although primarily of the tropics, are hardy and may range from sea level up to high elevations such as the mixed coniferous/deciduous forest zone in the Himalayan Mountains sharing its range with the Himalayan musk deer. These deer are found in habitats ranging from tropical seasonal forests (tropical dry forests and seasonal moist evergreen forests), subtropical mixed forests (conifers, broadleaf deciduous, and broadleaf evergreen tree species) to tropical rainforests. Their range covers a vast majority of territory that is classified as tropical rainforest, but their densities are probably very low there. In these areas, the deer probably prefer clearings and areas adjacent to water. They live as far north, according to Wild China, as the southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains in Central China. In Taiwan, sambar along with sika deer have been raised on farms for their antlers, which they drop annually in April to May. Sambars are a favorite prey item for tigers. They also can be taken by crocodiles, mostly the sympatric Mugger Crocodiles. More rarely, leopards and dholes will take young or sickly deer.
Fallow Deer, notice palmated antler
The Fallow Deer was a native of most of Europe during the last Interglacial. In the Holocene, the distribution was restricted to the Middle East and possibly also parts of the Mediterranean region, while further southeast in western Asia was the home of a close relative, the Persian Fallow Deer (Dama mesopotamica), that is bigger and has larger antlers. Some game ranched in Texas.
A favorite target of Ted Nugent on his outdoor show.
Axis Deer, Famous for its spots and long antlers.
Axis Deer*
Order Artiodactyla : Family Cervidae : Cervus axix (Erxleben)
Description. A moderately large, spotted deer with three tines on each antler; the brow tine forms nearly a right angle with the beam and the front (or outer) tine of the terminal fork is much longer than the hind (or inner) tine; a gland-bearing cleft is present on the front of the pastern of the hind foot; upperparts yellowish brown to rufous brown, profusely dappled with white spots; abdomen, rump, throat, insides of legs and ears, and underside of tail white; dark stripe from nape to near tip of tail. Dental formula as in Cervus elaphus, but upper canines (the so-called elk teeth) usually lacking. External measurements average: (males) total length, 1.7 m; tail, 200 mm; height at shoulder, 90 cm; females smaller and usually without antlers. Weight, 30-75 kg in males; 25-45 kg in females.
The chital or cheetal (Axis axis)[2], also known as chital deer, spotted deer or axis deer is a deer which commonly inhabits wooded regions of Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and India. It is the most common deer species in Indian forests. Its coat is reddish fawn, marked with white spots, and its underparts are white. Its antlers, which it sheds annually, are usually three-pronged and curve in a lyre shape and may extend to 75 cm (2.5 ft). It has a protracted breeding season due in part to the tropical climate, and births can occur throughout the year. For this reason, males do not have their antler cycles in synchrony and there are some fertile females at all times of the year. Males sporting hard antlers are dominant over those in velvet or those without antlers, irrespective of their size and other factors. A chital stands about 90 cm (3 ft) tall at the shoulder and masses about 85 kg (187 lb). Lifespan is around 20-30 years(Ed note. This is not an typo from literature but I find it hard to believe)
The American contender....the Wapiti
The elk, or wapiti (Cervus canadensis), is one of the largest species of deer in the world and one of the largest mammals in North America and eastern Asia. In the deer family (Cervidae), only the moose, Alces alces (called an "elk" in Europe), is larger, and Cervus unicolor (the "Sambar" deer) can rival the elk in size. Elk are almost identical to Red Deer found in Europe, of which they were long believed to be a subspecies; however, mitochondrial DNA evidence from 2004 strongly suggests they are a distinct species.
Elk range in forest and forest-edge habitat, feeding on grasses, plants, leaves, and bark. Although native to North America and eastern Asia, they have adapted well to countries where they have been introduced, including New Zealand and Argentina. Their high level of adaptability poses a threat to endemic species and ecosystems where they have been introduced.
The Boy Scouts of Jackson Hole, WY as a age old tradition get to venture forth onto federal wildlife lands and pickup elk antler sheds in the areas where the yellowstone elk herd winters. Each May the antlers are auctioned off in batches and the proceeds go to the Scouts and other charities. Many are bought to go to the far east to be ground up into a powder to make a tea that is suppose to improve the manlyness of aging men.
Well, there you have it a biological overview of the creatures that may be found on a knife handle you already have or may someday buy. We call it just "Stag"
For your entertainment......300Bucks(I like Elk)
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