Is it normal the different thickness of stag horn handle

[Dextar]

I see the obvious diferent thickness on the 2 pieces of my stag horn handle.

I searched from internet, found another user has same problem and called the factory, the answer from factory said it is because of the different size of natural horn.


Since I am new to knives and blade, I would like to learn from your opinions.
Thanks.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Completely normal. Being right-handed, I prefer a bit of swell on the right side to fit my palm.

 

[Dadpool]

Yes, it's common for stag covers/scales to vary considerably from one another, even on the same knife. Some makers will try to match them closely (with corresponding expense), sometimes they wind up matching by happy coincidence, but in my experience they generally don't match.

When I owned stag-handled knives, that was one of the things about them that I found charming. It gives them a lot of character (assuming the mismatch doesn't make the knife uncomfortable in your hand, of course).

 

[Dextar]

But my knife (black background one) is much thiner on the right-hand side, I am also right-handed and prefer swell on the right side too.
But since you mentioned it is normal, then it will not the quality issue.
I guess I may choose one if I was in physical shop.
Thank you for your comment.

Completely normal. Being right-handed, I prefer a bit of swell on the right side to fit my palm.

 

[Dextar]

I got it. So it is normal, not quality issue, but just don't match well.
And I didn't feel uncomfortable in my right-hand, but feel better on my left hand.

I will try to go to the physical shop and choose a better match one, if they accept replacement.

Thanks for your comments.

Yes, it's common for stag covers/scales to vary considerably from one another, even on the same knife. Some makers will try to match them closely (with corresponding expense), sometimes they wind up matching by happy coincidence, but in my experience they generally don't match.

When I owned stag-handled knives, that was one of the things about them that I found charming. It gives them a lot of character (assuming the mismatch doesn't make the knife uncomfortable in your hand, of course).

 

[skyhorse]

Normal.

 

[hhmoore]

I no longer purchase stag without a (top down) picture that shows the shape of the scales.

 

[brownshoe]

I was told once by a shade tree cutler that the thinner smoother side went on the inside of your palm to allow a better grip with the fingers. He was a machinist where I worked and made made knives for sale at rendezvous.

 

[Dextar]

Thanks~

Normal.

 

[Dextar]

This is absolutely a right decision but I didn't learnt before T_T

I no longer purchase stag without a (top down) picture that shows the shape of the scales.

 

[Dextar]

Does it mean, if I use the knife as a right-handed, then the right side of the handle better to be thinner? (like the image in OP, front - the top of image, is the tip)

I was told once by a shade tree cutler that the thinner smoother side went on the inside of your palm to allow a better grip with the fingers. He was a machinist where I worked and made made knives for sale at rendezvous.

 

[jc57]

Yes, that is normal for stag handled knives. I have seen much worse than the one in your picture. Yours looks fine to me, in fact.

 

[Dadpool]

I no longer purchase stag without a (top down) picture that shows the shape of the scales.

And bottom-up, from the other side, too. Buying stag sight unseen is a gamble!

 

[Dextar]

I'll try to go to the physical shop and choose a better one if they accept

And bottom-up, from the other side, too. Buying stag sight unseen is a gamble!

 

[Dextar]

I assume the worse ones will have impact on the feeling when handle the knife.
In fact I can feel the difference when handle in left-hand and right.

But I am not sure whether the dealer accepts the replacement for me for a better one.

Yes, that is normal for stag handled knives. I have seen much worse than the one in your picture. Yours looks fine to me, in fact.

 

[Final Option]

Looks like the tang could have been finished better too. I don't like using stag when I make knives, however the proper method is to sand down on the inside to make both scales look symmetrical. Hard to tell but they don't look like a matched pair. Also from your picture the sheath looks like ait is quality made.

 

[Dextar]

Ya, they (the producer) just didn't like to spend more time and expense on the symmetrical or make the 2 sides match well.
The 2nd image with sheather is not mine, but the screen capture I found from internet.

I hope the factory outlet allows me to replace a better one. I will go there this weekend.

Looks like the tang could have been finished better too. I don't like using stag when I make knives, however the proper method is to sand down on the inside to make both scales look symmetrical. Hard to tell but they don't look like a matched pair. Also from your picture the sheath looks like ait is quality made.

 

[Dextar]

BTW, do you mean you see even worse one than my 1st image and the 1st image looks good to you? (Black background one).
Just like to confirm since the 2nd picture was from internet and confused someone...

Yes, that is normal for stag handled knives. I have seen much worse than the one in your picture. Yours looks fine to me, in fact.

 

[jc57]

Yes. I have seen stag handles that are much more mismatched than in your first post, and your image there looks to be well within the range of normal variation you see on stag knives.

I personally prefer relatively evenly matched handles. Because of that, I have very few stag handled knives, and I like to see the handles from 4 angles: each side straight on, and looking straight down in both orientations (edge down, and edge up) before I will buy online.

That said, one of my very favorite knives is stag handled:

It may not be evident from the pictures, but one side has a little bit of a concavity to it while the other is a little thicker. However, overall it still quite symmetrical. It has enough variation to provide both visual and tactile interest, without being overly unbalanced.

 

[Dextar]

Beautiful Knife! The handle is symmetrical very well.

I agree with you and others now, since this is my first time purchasing knife online, I chose the stag one.
Now I learnt never buy stag one online, especially with Grohmann, and always a good choice I can see the picture or go to the physical shop.

Especially for me, a picky user

Thanks for all your inputs!

Yes. I have seen stag handles that are much more mismatched than in your first post, and your image there looks to be well within the range of normal variation you see on stag knives.

I personally prefer relatively evenly matched handles. Because of that, I have very few stag handled knives, and I like to see the handles from 4 angles: each side straight on, and looking straight down in both orientations (edge down, and edge up) before I will buy online.

That said, one of my very favorite knives is stag handled:

It may not be evident from the pictures, but one side has a little bit of a concavity to it while the other is a little thicker. However, overall it still quite symmetrical. It has enough variation to provide both visual and tactile interest, without being overly unbalanced.