Several Questions Related to Stag

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5K Qs

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1. Are "bone stag" and "stag bone" the same? Do you have any opinions, pro or con, of this type of handle material?

2. Are American and European use of stag on knife handles quite similar, or are there characteristic differences?
The stag I saw in Spain (ciervo?) seemed quite light in color, compared to many of the photos I've seen of American makers' stag covers. On the other hand, I seem to recall that old German stag has looked much darker and richer than recent American stag.

3. How does stag change with age/use on knife handles?

4. Colt offers a series of pocket knives in what they call "black stag". Anyone have experience with this? Is it real stag, or something artificial (like Uncle Henry's Stagalon)?

Thanks in advance for anything you're willing to share.

- GT
 
Well...I will give it my 2 cents. Bone stag and stag bone is probably the same thing. They are jigged cattle bone to imitate real stag. American stag is normally Sambar stag from India. European stag is either Indian Sambar stag or red stag which is native to Europe I think. The darkness of stag is initially just the dirt on the antlers. Later it is the potassium permanganate sprayed on them for critter control prior to exporting from India. Stag will lighten and smooth over many years......basically just become cleaner and the ridges are smoothed down from use or pocket carry. Don't know about Colt black stag but it may be stag that has been treated with a very strong solution of potassium permanganate or stained dark. Not sure on this one.
 
It's like military intelligences...stag is not bone and bone is not stag but a folding knife==s cut fingers...#1 yes is the correct answer





2 Panther
 
Colt's black stag is dyed stag bone, not antler, but bone jigged to look like stag.
 
Thanks for the helpful info and opinions, folks.
300Bucks, I ran across that stag post sometime over the weekend before posting my questions; very impressive and informative! :thumbup::cool::thumbup:
Jeff, thanks especially for the Colt black stag info; seems "wrong" that they can get away with advertising stag bone as stag.:confused::(:confused:
John, your info on stag color changes was eye-opening to me; I thought (with no basis in fact) that maybe stag got darker as it aged, but your explanation of why it actually lightens over time makes sense to a novice like me.

- GT
 
black mamba said:
Colt's black stag is dyed stag bone, not antler, but bone jigged to look like stag.
Click to expand...

In case anyone is curious what Jeff is talking about in response to one of my questions, here's an image of a Colt sowbelly stockman (harvested from a vendor's website) that has the "black stag" covers:
tJpxyPFl.jpg


- GT
 
There are difference and grades between real Stag. Sambar from India is the acclaimed variety due to complexity and ageing potential. I believe much Euro Stag is from Red Deer and is attractive but less gnarly than Sambar and tends to show more pith. American Elk (Elk is Moose in Europe) is a similar type of material coming from a local deer species.

Personally, I think that GEC has put out the most impressive lines of stag lately, at least it meets my requirements. I was extremely pleased with the stag I got on last year's Forum Knife. I have 25s a 33 and 85 in really decent antler. Other firms, CASE, CS and Queen just don't get near GEC with the fab stag in my opinion. But fortunately, opinions do vary giving us all a shot at what we like. As for custom makers, I admire the stag that Hiroaki Ohta uses, he gave me a choice of three different matched slabs for my knife.

One of the many reasons I admire stag is that it is quite tough stuff actually, seems to resist cracking better than bone. Above all, it will change colour from white (if not torched or dyed) to a butter colour, old stag gets very dark and fruit cake like which is immensely appealing.

Bone Stag can be very decent stuff in its own right, but once you hold it you know it's bone and not stag. CASE did a very nice Bonestag 6.5 line some years back. Queen's White Carved Bone Stag and their Amber Carved Bone Stag are firm favourites of mine, some of my best knives are clad in it. Colt's Bonestag looks very tidy too.

Hope that helps.

Thanks, Will

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Thanks for the helpful information, Will. Your pics show some incredibly appealing stag!! :thumbup::thumbup:

- GT
 
As Will has written, european stag is mostly from red deer. This species is domestic here in Middle and Northern Europe. To me, GEC is making doing nice on their stag series. I like the looks of them and they feel great. But feeling is rather different to the european version which is really an eyecatcher at least in my book.

Will, thanks for showing your gems. What amazing examples of stag and stag bone. I love the looks of nicely aged stag handles. All the months/years in your pockets and your hands... plaine awesome!!

Here is one of my favorite folders - Friedrich Hartkopf, Solingen. The both sides of the handle are from one piece of stag, the fit together in diameter when looking at the knife in its barehead butt. This is, what I would call german stag. The white areas of the stag are amazing to look at and get darker during time. Some brown-creamy shade where now still is the white area.

Shield side



Pile side

 
Thanks for addressing my questions, Andi. The stag on your Hartkopf is marvelous!! :thumbup::cool::thumbup:

- GT
 
Thanks Daniel! Mr Ohta does have access to some exceptional stag, dark & gnarled. I use the knife a lot as I like it and think it was made for using, can really recommend his service too.

Regards, Will
 
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