Stag and Bone

Trout Hound

Trout Hound

Joined
Sep 28, 2014
Messages
693
Hello All,

Okay, I am not trying to open up a can of worms here, but I need some more info on stag and bone maintenance. I recently bought my first stag-handled knife, a GEC Coyote in natural stag, and I want to keep it nice so that it will still be in great shape for my grandkids someday.

I have done quite a bit of searching on this forum, as well as other sites, about stag care, and I am seeing conflicting information.

Many users here recommend wiping, or even soaking, with mineral oil. Some also mention lemon oil. Even the Intl. Knife Collectors Assn. recommends mineral oil, although they do warn that it can cause yellowing or darkening of the scales. I have seen this on cattle bone handles, but not to the extent that it has bothered me, although stag might be a different story.

Others say that oils of any kind ultimately weaken the stag, and that some type of sealing agent should be used, such as Ren wax, paste wax (are we talking about the stuff that goes on floors, like Murphy's?), or neutral shoe polish. Some folks point out that these types of wax can build up over time to give the stag a hazy appearance. (Can this be removed if it occurs? If so, how?)

I honestly am not sure which direction to go. I do ask that we not ARGUE about this issue, but if you have some empirical evidence or worthwhile experience to contribute, please chime in. My thanks in advance for your help.


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I use Ren Wax on both stag and bone. It takes VERY little of the stuff. It liquifies when you rub it in, and then dries quickly to a barely visible haze. Then you buff it with a clean cloth. It's like waxing your car. Wax on, wax off. You don't need to do it often. If you carry it, it will wear off anyway. If it's for display, you only need to wax it one time.

I can't say about stag, but I can guarantee that oil can soak into and discolor light colored bone, because I have a knife where that happened. More accurately, it picked up some black gunk (probably polishing residue) from between the bolsters and edges of the bone and wicked it into the bone from the cut end of the bone that is flush against the bolster.
 
I restore cutlery for a living, and I can tell you that you don't want to put oil on stag. Oil discolors and softens stag.
Paste wax- (Johnson's) or neutral shoe polish are what you need to use occasionally. If your stag is especially rough, use a soft bristled shoe brush to polish. If it's relatively smooth a cloth will do to buff it.
If properly applied and buffed, wax will not build up nor leave a haze. Any unwanted wax can be removed with ammonia.
 
Thanks guys, that helps to fill in some gaps in my knowledge. I think I'll do the very light application of wax. Thanks again.


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Bill DeShivs said:
I restore cutlery for a living, and I can tell you that you don't want to put oil on stag. Oil discolors and softens stag.
Paste wax- (Johnson's) or neutral shoe polish are what you need to use occasionally. If your stag is especially rough, use a soft bristled shoe brush to polish. If it's relatively smooth a cloth will do to buff it.
If properly applied and buffed, wax will not build up nor leave a haze. Any unwanted wax can be removed with ammonia.
Click to expand...

BTW Bill, do you recommend the same for bone scales, including "user" knives? Thanks!


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I do, but bone is a little more forgiving about oil.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
I do, but bone is a little more forgiving about oil.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for the info. This just got me to thinking, with the exclusion of a mineral oil soak, what, if anything, can be done about older stag or bone scales that have shrunk away from the bolsters?


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