How to care for stag handle on old knife?

[comet]

I bought and old Puma White Hunter on Ebay. While it is a nice knife, the back of the handle appears to be drying out. Is there a moisturizing treatment that could prevent this?

 

[rev_jch]

100% mineral oil. Only if I were you I would be carrful and use it "sparingly" as you do not want to darken the color of the handle. mineral oil, or any oil will do this (darken it), but you want to have alittle something on it considering you do not want it completely dried out.

 

[Danbo]

I agree with the Mineral Oil. But, I like it when it darkens the stag. (note, that it doesn't darken the stag very dark, just a little darker than originally) I took several of my stag handled knives, custom and factory, and put them handle first into a glass full of mineral oil. Left them for a couple of days. When I pulled them out I had a mess to wipe up, but the stag took on some really nice darker, carmel like colors. I'll do it again.

 

[RogerP]

I do the mineral oil-soak thing for all my stag and fossil ivory knives.

Roger

 

[Don Luis]

Yes, mineral oil, I rub some on my stag handled knives once a year and they have held well. my oldest ones are from the mid 70´s.