Pealing Stag.

johnny twoshoes

johnny twoshoes

Joined
Feb 3, 2011
Messages
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About three weeks ago I got this stag #23 as a birthday gift from my brother. Since then, it hasn't left my side.
It's been a great knife and I haven't felt over knifed with it, though I fear loosing my spot in the Peanut cult for carrying a 4 1/2 pocket knife.

Anyhow, I've been getting a few new knives as of late and non of them have connected like this one. I know the sentimental value may have some affect, but I'm sure thats entirely it. I feel very comfortable with this knife, it's been just the perfect size for everything. I even got complimented for carrying it, by a woman, which just goes to prove that Carl's, "Woman like stag" theory, may have something to it.

Anyhow, all stag seems to mellow and chance over the months and years it's carried. I've mellowed a couple of Elk Stags and lightened a Burnt stag, but I've never seen such change like I have on this one.

Here is the first pic I ever took of this knife.
P1014922.jpg


You can see how the stag is very well matched in it's color. Burnt very evenly.

Now thats it's spent some time in the pocket, it's changing very rapidly.
P1015136-1.jpg


This is not at all a complaint, more of an observation. I haven't done anything to lighten the stag, I like to let things go naturally, but this knife actually pealed some, like the stag had dead skin on it that flaked off.
I was wondering if anyone has seen this before?

The other side is loosing a little of it's darkness too, which I like.
P1015142.jpg


The big 3 1/2'' blade is perfect for food prep too.
P1015139.jpg


I am really enjoying this knife, which is surprising to me. I usually go for something a little more pocket friendly and this big blade doesn't really fit into the realm of Peanut knife carry.
 
Nice to see you putting that fine knife to work. Do you carry it in your front pocket or your back pocket?

- Christian
 
Johnny,

The same thing happened to my 73 single blade. It just flakes off or rubbed off very quickly. I don't know if its because it was just dirt that was making it dark or what. On the other hand my new 57 in stag is stable. The colors also match that of stag died with potassium permaganate.

You know how antlers in the wild usually get dark just from dirt and crud? I almost think that is what it could be. I died my 73 and ever since it hasn't changed. Even when I went after it with a buffer just to see.

I could be way off so please don't take this as fact.

Kevin
 
Great looking knife! Ive seen that peeling on slabs ive bought before.Sometimes i peel it off and it looks ok,but sometimes it looks terrible,just white underneath.I dont know why.Just a natural thing i guess.Perhaps the darkening chemical lifts a thin layer sometimes?
 
Johnny,

Here was my 73 new:
IMG03904-20110830-1550.jpg


Here is was after a good amount of use and carry:
SU1HLTIwMTIwNDIzLTAxMDE1LmpwZw.jpg


Here is is after my die and refinishing job:
SU1HLTIwMTIwNDIzLTAxMDE4LmpwZw.jpg
 
I have a GEC 66, 73, 33, 25, and a 25 EO in stag and all of their "burnt" coloring has worn off with use and cleaning. I think it looks better. But I didn't notice it "peeling" or "flaking".
 
Christian, I carry this one in the from pocket.
The lanyard helps me to keep it vertical, it takes up a lot less room and is unobtrusive.

Kevin, that is a crazy different.
I think mine may make it that far as well, I think it would all be the same color if it wasn't for the character in the scales.
The refinish job looks awesome, I'm not sure if I would ever go that rout, but it really brings the stag back to life. I think your theory may be correct, I'm just surprised that it wouldn't have flaked off from the heat at the factory.

HB, I have a few other stag knives and they didn't flake like this one either.
They just seem to slowly mellow and loose their darker tones, but this one was flaking.

Again, this is no complaint and I don't see it as an issue.
I like the way it's going and I think after deer season and the bathing of the blood, it will look even better.
 
Thanks Johnny. If you decide to go this route, feel free to email me and I will try to help you out as much as possible.
 
Stag: I work with stag every day. When working stag you must remember a few things. First...most of the dark color of stag is dirt...velvet and most times a combination of both. If you wire brush a pc of stag it will turn a light tan/yellow/cream color. Then into the potassium permanganate where it may stay for a few minutes or a couple of hours. People began to like the look of dark stag when the Indian people sprayed the stag with PP to alleviate the critter problem before exporting to England. It is a product to control pests, bugs, critters!! It is still used for this and to contol water born fungus and a few other things. Not really sure on this one. If the color is rubbing off on your new knife it was probably not cleaned very well before burning with PP. It could also have been very lightly burned. Burning here does not mean burned with a flame but...oxidized by the PP. You can control the amount of brown to black with time and the right piece of stag to begin with. You just have to experiment with the piece and the PP. The texture of the stag often determines the amount of burning. Porous stag oxidizes more rapidly and darker than smooth worn stag. Knife companies often do not have the time....$$...do clean the stag well...thus you have a quick lightning of the product. Smooth as well causes this. The best stag for burning is a piece with lots of popcorn. Unfortunately everyone wants it and no one has it any more...or rarely has it. The Indian government has stopped all collection and distribution of Sambar Stag. What is here now will be it for a very long time.
 
John,

I know that answer was for Johnny, but may I also say thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Kevin
 
I´ve noticed this on my Carl Schlieper Stag Canoe. After some time of carrying and using it, the stag got a creamier and smoother look. So I can agree 100% with John L. Though I didn´t know about the dirt and the rest of the stuff. Thank you for sharing your knowledge :)

KInd regards
Andi
 
Most of the stag I've seen peel was burned (with a flame) stag. I'm in agreement with John on the dirt or
whatever is on natural stag. Best way I've found to clean it is sand blast and wire brush after. I believe the
pinnacles in good popcorn stag are taking the burn from the sides of the "little mountain" as well as the surface
hence a deeper darker burn on the high spots and the resulting depth look to the oxidized burn.
Ken.
 
Boy that knife looks way different then the one your brother got at the show. Good looking still though! :thumbup:

Sent from Ash forum mobile
 
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