Question on durability of Stag handles

[Greg Clem]

I'm considering buying a large fixed blade knife with a stag handle. Can anybody tell me how these are affixed to the blade? Are they prone to coming loose after a couple of years? The knife would probably be more of a looker than a worker. No chopping involved, but it would be nice to know if I could depend on it in a pinch.
Thanks

 

[Dr.Lathe]

I attach my stag handles to full tangs with stainless pins and use Loctite primer and adhesive.
Several of my Stag handled hunters see extreme use from their owners and no problems so far. A good piece of stag provides excellent grip and looks nice too!
I notice that the stag on my own hunter shrinks in cold weather and expands in hot weather. I've used it in Watertown, NY hunting when it was -22deg and its been used here in Fl in 100deg 100% humidity! It always comes back to normal at room temperature! I think this shows the benefits of the high tech adhesives.
Neil


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[lifter4Him]

90% of my knives have stag handles because it is my favorite handle. As Neil said it does shrink and expand with the weather and will also shrink over time as natural moisture leaves the stag unless it has been aged 10 or so years. What works for me (cant remember who originally told me this) is 2 or 3 times a year I coat the stag with baby oil for about 15 minutes letting it soak in. Then make sure you wipe it down really good with a cloth so its not slippery but the natural roughness of stag keeps it grippable.
As Neil also said, it should be pinned whether full tang or narrow tang because due to the shrinking and expanding eventually epoxy alone may loosen.

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lifter
Phil. 4:13

Dave
Wharton,NJ

 

[Brian C]

To echo what Neil & Dave have already said, stag can be quite durable but is subject to environmental conditions. I've had several quality stag handled knives for many years and they are just as tight & usable now as they were when I bought them.

One in particular, a Puma Bowie, stands out in my mind. After 30 or so years of use -- much of it in extreme conditions -- the stag has darkened & shrunken just a little but there are no cracks and the fit is still rock solid. In fact, the shrinkage is noticable only at the point where the slabs meet the tang -- they are no longer flush. However, if I didn't point it out, I doubt that most people would notice.

I just want to clarify what I meant by "they are no longer flush." The scales are still flush against the tang -- i.e., no gaps --but they did shrink somewhat in width. In other words, when you run your finger over the scales from one side of the handle to the other, you can feel the tang.

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Cheers,

--+Brian+--

I may be goin' to hell in a bucket, Babe, but at least I'm enjoyin' the ride.




[This message has been edited by bcaffrey (edited 17 November 1999).]