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Sambar Stag or Brown Elk?

A

allenC

Joined
Jun 18, 2000
Messages
10,762
For those who are familiar with both, which do you prefer?

I'm planning my next Custom Shoppe 110 but I'm having a hard time choosing between the sambar stag and the brown elk scales.
The bolsters will be nickle-silver for sure.


Thanks, and Pictures are always welcome.:),
Allen
 
Hi AC,

You know that stag is my favorite handle material. It is a natural material so even if you get five of the same knife they will all look a little different. That being said....I like my stag handles the best when they have good color....lots of bark will add color. Also, I love them ruff and the gnarlyer the better. So most of the time Sambar stag is what I lean towards if I can make the choice. Most of what I have are Elk stag and there is a wide variety in the color of this material; from very light (white) to a light brown....Hell...as long as you get stag you will love it....hope this helps.

I need to take some new photo's sorry guys....you have had to look at these before.

Elk Stag




Sambar Stag




jb4570
 
Both are gorgeous, Allen, but if I really had to choose, Sambar Stag would be the winner. (I have both.)
 
allenC said:
I'm planning my next Custom Shoppe 110 but I'm having a hard time choosing between the sambar stag and the brown elk scales.
The bolsters will be nickle-silver for sure.

Allen
Click to expand...

Talk to Pete or Rick and tell them what qualities you want outta your handle: smooth or gnarly, brown or gray or white, etcetera and then sit back secure letting the artists paint the canvas! :p

Dave
 
I ordered a custom 110 last week from Buck. I chose BG-42 steel, Brown Elk and nickel bolsters. It should be a beauty. I'm sur ethe stag would look great too. Now fo rthe next 6 weeks to pass by quickly. Patience has never been one of my virtues.
 
All the stag looks awesome,how can you go wrong with either one?Is one more stable than the other?Sambar stag always seems to be a choice in a lot of old knives,it must be very durable out of all the different antlers?
 
Both are nice, but I kinda like the Elk more.

Buck-110-Custom-Group.jpg
 
Thanks for the help guys....but honestly, now the decision is harder than ever....they all look so beautiful!
 
I prefer sambar but good elk is nice too and if you're going aftermarket elk slabs are alot cheaper than sambar
 
I just ordered my first "Custom 110". I had the same quandary, I really couldn't decide between the Elk & Sambar. I finally went with the Sambar stag (finger grooves), nickel silver bolsters, and damascus blade. I got my first "110" in the Navy in 1969..........this one will be the first I've owned in about 20 yrs., but I really look forward to it.
 
oldfogey said:
I just ordered my first "Custom 110". I had the same quandary, I really couldn't decide between the Elk & Sambar. I finally went with the Sambar stag (finger grooves), nickel silver bolsters, and damascus blade. I got my first "110" in the Navy in 1969..........this one will be the first I've owned in about 20 yrs., but I really look forward to it.
Click to expand...

Post some pics if you can, when your knife arrives, Oldfogey. You are going to just love that one!
 
beachchair said:
Is that leaf, inlay brass? I like it.
Click to expand...

Hi beachchair,

Well....wish I was sit'n in a chair on a nice sunny beach ;). It's been raining here in sunny CA for the last week or so...:(. What you see on the Elk handle is a feather inlay..or maybe it should be called an outlay. The feather actually is raised....it's white in color and appears to be bone or more stag (not sure). The knife is a Mini Alpha 196 with Elk horn handle and a dark chip flint look to the blade. This knife was customized by Bob Timberlake for sale at Bass Pro Shops. They currently offer 4 different models of Timberlake custom Buck knives. However, the 196 is no longer one of them.

Here is another photo of that 196

Click the pic (Gets bigger)

jb4570
 
jb4570 said:
Hi beachchair,

Well....wish I was sit'n in a chair on a nice sunny beach ;). It's been raining here in sunny CA for the last week or so...:(. What you see on the Elk handle is a feather inlay..or maybe it should be called an outlay. The feather actually is raised....it's white in color and appears to be bone or more stag (not sure). The knife is a Mini Alpha 196 with Elk horn handle and a dark chip flint look to the blade. This knife was customized by Bob Timberlake for sale at Bass Pro Shops. They currently offer 4 different models of Timberlake custom Buck knives. However, the 196 is no longer one of them.

jb4570
Click to expand...

Appreciate the info. It gives me a lot of ideas.
Like the sheath also.
 
Buck_110 said:
While both look good, it simply comes down to a matter of opinion on which looks nicer. Sambar horn is denser than elk horn and will hold up better to the daily punishment of EDC.
Click to expand...

Yes indeed, I remember Joe saying the same thing.
 
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