I Have A Stag Problem

prisoner6

prisoner6

Joined
Aug 7, 2003
Messages
470
....I've never owned a knife with stag handles.

I don't know why. It's never appealed to me. I think my OCD sees the unevenness and runs away.

However, of late I have thought hard about rectifying this flaw.

So tell me, how does it wear? How does it hold up to a pocket with keys, coins and assorted pocket stuff?

I've had G10 and Micarta chip. Bone chip and crack (though not easily).

What should I look for? Expect? Will I go crazy from scales not matching?
 
A good stag knife will have covers closely matched by it's maker. I carry coins, keys etc. in one front pocket and my knife in the other so I avoid the peoblem. You could use a pocket slip case for your knife if you are afraid of scratching it.

IMHO, the beauty of true stag is in it's random texture. But I know people who won't eat a Wendy's burger because it is square, not round.

It is durable, but not as durable as Delrin. And Delrin is usually molded with artificial stagging or jigging with covers, left and right, matching for symmetry. Delrin doesn't scratch or chip. And it seldom cracks.

All I can tell you is to buy one and try it. If it's lack of perfect symmetry bothers you, sell it on.
 
Everyone has differing things that they are attracted to. To me one of the features that makes stag attractive is the uniqueness of each piece. It has a natural appeal akin to figured wood grain. Uniformness is not a trait of stag unlike man-made materials. As it is unique, no two pieces will appeal to everyone.
 
I had the same problem until recently. Now my problem is the opposite, I want stag everything. What sold me was noticing german stag knives. For whatever reason the german knives have some of the nicest stag (to my eye) around. Here's one example of a very well matched set of scales.

BAB44515-BDB1-4E29-AE54-6C200951A3A3_zpsureapgy2.jpg

D02968D9-BE71-4B83-AE1C-9F200986BEBC_zps9ln4akor.jpg
 
Stag handles are quiete traditional around here. Many pocketknives have stag handles; the traditional german Nicker (or Jagdnicker) has to have stag handles - though I´ve it with bone and wood handles as well. But that´s not so common.

The same knife from each side - F. Hartkopf Solingen





Jagdnicker - PUMA Solingen and Hubertus Solingen



Let me tell you that stag gives you the very best grip, especially when its a "popcorn-stag" like on that PUMA. And it actually feels fantastic. Bone or wood is fantastic as well, but in another way - somehow,. :)
 
The stag folders I've owned in the past have all been disapointments

would want to handle one before I buy again, which is hard since all the go to makers are in the US
 
I agree with you corso, at least at the point, when it comes to handle it before buying. It seems, I´m lucky enough because Hartkopf, Hubertus and several other cutleries are sold here in Germany at gunstores or huntingstores and even at the Army Shops that are around.

What do you mean with "To go makers"?

Buying a stag knife online can be a little disappointing, becase the stag scales can look very different from there to reality... this is an expierience I made with a Carl Schlieper Canoe - a great knife but the stag doesn´t really fit together.
 
Guess I am just the opposite as I have never had a Stag Knife that I did not like as they are all different in so many ways.!**
You just get a high by the feel of the different Scales in your hand and no two are alike. Puma used to be my Favorite ~~
but now it is mostly Custom Knives with Stag and then there is my Hubertus Knives that are really sweet.! It is just very hard
to beat the German Stag !^^
 
A question for the hard core "Stagist", any preference between Sambar stag and European Red stag?
 
To me,the only real stag is India Sambar. Everything else ,you are just settling .
 
I have noticed , I've compared "shadow" (no bolster) knives & stag is lighter than micarta. I think it is durable.

But I have used stag knives for fish cleaning & since it is porous it absobed stinky fish juice and was stinky for a bit. That's where lemon oil came into play and had yet another use to it's versatility. After the stag thoroughly dried out ,the lemon oil bath took some of the fishy smell out of it.
 
Thank you all. In fairness, I know that all knives carried regularly wear and I am very much okay with that. My question wasn't based on trying to find a material that didn't wear, I just was curious how it would wear.

I have seen so many nice stag knives lately and it is just making me open my eyes.
 
Stag is a type of bone that grows very fast, so it is more porous and soft than cow bone. So to your question of how it will wear, I would say if your carry style puts chips in bone, it will do it to stag also.

when looking at stag handled knives I absolutely require a view of the spine, so I can see how thick it is.

for example, look at this stag, the covers look like a decent match in terms of texture pattern right?:
8445500159_9f178c40fc_c.jpg

8446589086_ffe18e406b_c.jpg


but you have no way of realizing how much thicker than the bolsters the scales are, until you see an edge view:
8446589832_a771bd561e_c.jpg


those two sides are very closely matched in thickness, but for my personal taste, stag covers that are thicker than the bolsters are a deal breaker. Thats just me.

here is a thread full of stag you can peruse.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/949622-Why-is-the-Pile-side-Stag-Better-looking

A few of the pics show the scale thickness. Sometimes one side is thicker than the other, and that definitely makes me crazy. I wont keep a stag knife with that feature.
 
Last edited:
Andi -a "go to" maker is the one you prefer to go to or the one you like to use the best.:)
hope that helps because this is my go to subforum.
 
As to stag holding up to coins and keys I don't even take the chance. Given the cost of stag I protect mine in a pocket slip or sheath.
 
If you put chips in G10 and Micarta, stag has no chance against you. :eek: G10 and Micarta are two of the most durable substances known to knife making.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top