"Second Cut" Stag

Buckaholic

Buckaholic

Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
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Disclaimer: I appreciate everyone's tolerance in reading/answering my questions. In a way, I feel bad that I ask so much, kine like the kids "are we there yet???", but in a way I don't as the straight scoop is found here.
Given that self effacing statement...

What is "second cut" stag?
How can you tell the diff?
Is that something you can expect from the Custom Shop?

I take it that it is not a "feature" (?)

Thank you...
Goose.
 
OK, here goes...

Say you have a nice thick antler...You slice off a 1/4" thick or so piece from the surface, with bark, and use it on your knife...and another slice from the other side for the other side...

Now you still have some good stag left, but without bark...that can be sliced into scales, too...this is the "2nd cut"...it can be burnt and/or jigged to simulate the outer bark...or sanded smooth...

Nothing at all wrong with it, as long as it's nice and solid...what's bad is when you get into the center, where it's very porous...

There's a couple pics somewhere here of two Parkers I have with 2nd cut scales...very nice...
 
Thank you Trax for the information. Makes sense. I imagine it takes time to tell the diff.
Kind Regards,
Goose.
 
Goose,

I’ll post a pic in a few days that I think will put this issue in perspective for you. At least visually; I have a stag 192 that looks like smooth white bone (the way Trax likes them). I prefer the bark look myself.

Jb4570
BCCI
1253
 
Here's a couple pics of two of mine...the first one is a Buck Elk from the custom Shoppe...If you look at the ends of the scale closely, you can see what looks like brown material beginning to show where the scales have been buffed flat...that's the "pulp" of the antler showing through (sorry, I'm not a hunter and don't know the correct name for it)...I don't know whether Buck used a 2nd cut for this or not, but that's the problem with round scales on a flat knife...



The next pic is Elk scales that have been milled flat...and the "pulp" has definately come to the surface...



I like the sanded smooth stag finish, but the scales on the 2nd knife there were too rounded to get solid antler material from...
 
Thanks so much for the pic post ChickenTrax. Helps a lot.
I have always liked the "bark" look. But I am thinking that smooth finish is pretty cool too.
Goose.
 
For what it's worth...I've read that Sambar stag is the densest of the antlers available...so you get more of the white meat... :D

Here's a couple pics of my Sambar stags...Probably both second cut...



 
Goose,

Here are some pic's of a few of my stag handled Bucks. Notice that with the stag handles no two are exactly alike. Some of these are Elk, one is European stag, and the duke made in 04 according to the box just states "Stag". As you can see one of the 192 handles has been shaped and polished to fit the knife, as a result the bark has been removed (just the way trax likes them). I like the bark look myself; the gnarlyer the better.





 
Without someone telling you, how can you tell a second cut from an actual outer/surface cut??? I mean, how do you *know* those are all surface cut stags??? :confused:

I had a guy in another Forum describe how to cut/jig second cut scales and then lightly burn it with a torch so that it is practically indistinguishable from surface cuts...(BTW: I'm told it smells just like burning hair)... :rolleyes:
 
John...thanks for the cool pics. Quite a collection you have there!!!
Like Trax, I'm just wondering how ya can tell the diff. Also, does it affect he overall quality or value being second cut?
Very nice knives.
I like the bark and my women a bit gnarly.
Goose.
 
Buckaholic said:
Thanks so much for the pic post ChickenTrax. Helps a lot.
I have always liked the "bark" look. But I am thinking that smooth finish is pretty cool too.
Goose.
Click to expand...

I think that pretty much all the stag scales I've seen had been sanded at least a little, some (like that Buck I just got) sanded a lot...The rough, pointed, or ridged protrusions especially...
 
chickentrax said:
Without someone telling you, how can you tell a second cut from an actual outer/surface cut??? I mean, how do you *know* those are all surface cut stags??? :confused:

I had a guy in another Forum describe how to cut/jig second cut scales and then lightly burn it with a torch so that it is practically indistinguishable from surface cuts...(BTW: I'm told it smells just like burning hair)... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Im sure there are craftsmen who could make second cut stag look just like original bark. But, that would be a lot of extra work and cost more to make. It's not like there is a shortage antlers around the world. As far a smelling like burnt hair? I've got about 15 sets of antlers hanging in my garage; maybe I'll put a torch to one and see how it smells---LOL---:D
 
jb4570 said:
Im sure there are craftsmen who could make second cut stag look just like original bark. But, that would be a lot of extra work and cost more to make. It's not like there is a shortage antlers around the world. As far a smelling like burnt hair? I've got about 15 sets of antlers hanging in my garage; maybe I'll put a torch to one and see how it smells---LOL---:D
Click to expand...
Or burning micarta...Buck sniff time!!!!!
 
John,
I'm with you 100% when you say;
I like the bark look myself; the gnarlyer the better
Click to expand...

000_0490.jpg


000_0491.jpg
 
Buckaholic said:
John...thanks for the cool pics. Quite a collection you have there!!!
Like Trax, I'm just wondering how ya can tell the diff. Also, does it affect he overall quality or value being second cut?
Very nice knives.
I like the bark and my women a bit gnarly.
Goose.
Click to expand...

Thanks Marvin,
Every time I see a buck knife with stag handles I'm just like a kid in the candy store......"I gota have it"......well....or a buck with a blade cutout....or etched balde....I'm addicted, what more can I say. That's why I'm still in the dog house....oh well; I still love my gnarly woman and she can be mean as hell!!!! She will get over being mad at me and my buck hording issue!!!! She checks my ebay account every day! I can't go there for a while; my bad!

If you look at the pic of the two 192's. The one that is smooth is one piece of antler that was slipped over the tang (this handle is almost round). The one with a little bark showing is two pieces of stag with a wood insert on the top and bottom where the stag handle material meet (this handle is flatter).
 
Scott Hartman said:
John,
I'm with you 100% when you say;

Scott,

Very nice. I like the ruff ridges in that stag and the yellow color.

jb4570
BCCI
1253
Click to expand...
 
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