Natural or burnt stag?

R Mac

R Mac

Joined
Jan 21, 2014
Messages
106
Which do you prefer, Natural or Burnt Stag scales and why?

If stag isn't your thing, then what is?

Pictures are welcomed.

Thanks,
Randy
 
Stag is very much a piece by piece material for me. I've seen both natural and burnt that was great looking, and both that I would pass on. I prefer to see both sides of the individual knife before I make a decision.
 
black mamba has summed up my thoughts on stag exactly.cheers mate.
It ranges from strikingly beautiful to blaearh for me. Plus there is the whole "I live in Australia a long long way to send stuff back if I don't like it " deal. Jigged bone is more consistent and my pick is the clawed type jigging that comes from GEC such as this.
2014-01-25082624_zps46676ada.jpg

and the middle two
2014-01-06075854_zps4d8b4649.jpg

I have to admit though if I happened to have the dough and there was one lying around somewhere for sale- Red Stag would be quite acceptable.
 
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I think you just have to look at each individual piece. In general I like the colors better on the burnt stuff, but that is only a rule meant to be broken. :)
 
I love really gnarly stag, but tend to really hate the more plain stag. For me it is a case by case basis, and I want to see both sides before I buy. By far my favorite handle material right now is wood, my two favorites are ebony and African blackwood. I have really been lusting after some of Bocote slabs here lately.
 
I prefer jigged bone over stag. In general I prefer burnt stag over natural. As others have posted, I have to see each side of the knife and a top/bottom shot to see how "fat" and/or uneven the handles are.
 
I like stag, but it has to be done in a certain way for me...I do not like a completely jigged stag handle, preferring that the ends be smoothed rendering a lighter color to contrast with the jigged portion. Also, I don't find a stag knife without bolsters particularly attractive.
 
Al, this natural stag #48 should work for you! The smooth ends of the covers have an ivory-like quality that is stunning in person.

NatStagMark_zps7d1b1a2b.jpg~original

NatStagPile_zpsfd9f5c31.jpg~original
 
I'm equal parts burnt, genuine and natural stag. You have to look at the individual pieces on the burnt & genuine to check for a well matched set of scales. However I've bought several natural stag site unseen and all have arrived well matched.
 
Sambar Stag is by far my favorite handle material. I pretty much like it all, natural, burnt, died etc. I think the cutlers who really know how to fit stag are artists. I'm in awe of the talent and attention to detail it takes to do what Don Morrow did with this single blade trapper.

DSC05462.jpg

DSC05461.jpg
 
Nice one, Gary. This Cuban is a Genuine Stag GEC, their most expensive grade of stag. Nice and gnarly, like the Morrow, and all natural coloration.

538311GenStagOpen_zpsf4ddb3cb.jpg~original
 
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