Stag and handle comfort on collector grade

[Boink]

I have handled collector grade folding knives with Sambar stag that was left very natural - that the bark on it's surface retained all it's natural characteristics and was not polished off in order to create a more comfortable handle. This resulted in a near 90 degree edge, from stag thickness to it's surface. No dehorning was done, as this would have left rounded bevels that would have "eaten" into the beautiful surface of the stag.

Do colllectors of collector grade knives require that all knives be comfortable to hande, or is it OK to consider these are art knives - functional in every other way, exceptionally beautiful, except that they are not as comfortable as other knives might happen to be?

 

[Keith Montgomery]

For the most part I would think that collector grade knives would not require handles that would be comfortable for hard work. This is something that they are unlikely to ever see. That being said, I don't find stag that has been left with its full bark to be uncomfortable to hold.

 

[PhilL]

I would consider myself to be a stag junkie, although I don't consider myself to be a high-end collector. I never pass up a chance to handle a stag knife. I can only remember one knife that the stag was so rough that it felt uncomfortable in the hand. If it was my knife I would not have left it that way. I would have taken down some parts with sand paper.

 

[Boink]

Thanks for some replies.

In this case, It's not the stag itself what was objectionable, which provides a nicely bumpy surface. It's the exposed edge of the stag scale that is 90 degress from the face of the stag. It's this portion that, had it been bevelled, it would have created an ill-defined handle shape by taking the nice color and texture away from the handle scale. Presently, the naturally irregular stag looks nice terminating to the clean perimeter shape of the handle.

It's the 90 degree edge going around the perimeter of the handle that digs into the palm and fingers in a horny way, creating some hot spots.

But I get the message that collector grade is mostly to operate like a knife, look cool, but not necessarily offer the most comfortable grip, if it sacrifices the appearance.

 

[lifter4Him]

Savas,
IMO it should be comfortable whether user or collector. Again IMO if it cant be used I dont collect it. I have 29 stag handled customs right now(2 more soon from kaintuckee hopefully) and they're all extremely comfortable except one.
I may be wrong but I think Phil was referring to my huge Jones Bros. 16" bowie, I remember him commenting when I showed it to him. It's a special knife for me cause it was made by my brother from a different mother Barry. The grip is rough and if I had to chop with it for an extended time it might get uncomfortable. My hand may be a little bigger than Phil's which may be why it isnt as uncomfortable. And of course Barry's paw is like a grizzly's,LOL.
Some knives do look better with some bark taken off with the white contrast but for the most part I always ask makers to thin the stag from the inside so the most bark remains.

If you're talking about the remains of another antler tine that has been cut off, then yes it should be smoothed out.

 

[Boink]

Thanks for the insite, lifter.

I scoured the internet for some photos to illustrate - and found ones that show what i am talking about - the picture with five knives in it are all smoothed out and rounded, taking away bark from the perimeters. Another photo of a finer art-type of knife keeps the bark all the way to the outer edges of the handle. Note - these are not the knives in question that was the source for starting this thread - they are here purely to illustrate.

 

[Boink]

Here's an art-type of knife with bark all the way to the edges:

 

[RogerP]

I feel that a knife should have a comfortable handle whether it be viewed as "collect grade" or a "using" knife. Though none of the custom knives in my collection see any use, it is important to me that they be functional in both design and execution. A knife with an uncomfortable handle simply won't appeal to me. Having said that, I rarely find any stag handle to be uncomfortable due to the texture of the bark. I suppose the exception might be a particularly huge (think wrong end of a baseball bat) and bumpy "popcorn" stag carver, but I don't own any such knives. I generally prefer the look, feel and character that the textured bark lends to the knife, but polished stag can be nice alternative as well. Here are two pics to illustrate:

Cheers,

Roger

PS - That damascus hunter would look SO at home in my collection - terrific maker.

 

[Boink]

Hot looking stag, Roger! - And Iearned that much more with the photos. BF is doing it again - helpful discussion and learning.

 

[Jason Cutter]

I think your question applies qually well to a wide range of display / collector grade knives where sharp angles and crips lines are regarded as desirable. I think most makers and collectors will agree that it is inherently difficult to maintain straight lines, sharp edges etc. without a lot of time and effort - hence the increased value through the appreciation of the workmanship.

From my perspective, the main culprits seem to be a lot of presentation grade / art bowies with squared or semi-coffin-handled shapes, filework etc. I personally prefer chamfered contours and comfortable ergonomics.

However, many such handles could be more comfortable than they look and likewise, many so-called contoured handles may not fit ANYONE's hand at all.

The pictures you posted display some really good looking knives. Period. The damascus hunter looks like bank-vault material, seriously.

I may not have answered your question - just sat on the fence like I usually like to do . Jason.

 

[lifter4Him]

Here's the Jones Bros. bowie I referred to with popcorn stag left rough:

 

[lifter4Him]

And a Jones Bros. DP hunter with stag thinned from the inside as I requested:

 

[lifter4Him]

Obviously the 2 knives above are carried in sheaths. For pocket carry they might catch material or rub your leg over time. Here's a smoothed out Keith Coleman folder, I think the contrast looks pretty good and it's very comfortable.

 

[Boink]

Jason - Very illuminating fence-sitting. Your points are well-taken.

Lifter - the Popcorn one looks like the entire roll of the horn; the one with the thinning on the bottom of the stag are individual scales?

Those are some smokin' fixed blades, btw.

Edited to add: That nice folder is helped comfort-wise by the perimeter shape of the handle, in addition to some sculpting of the stag. Very nice appearance on that one.

 

[george tichbourne]

Whether the stag is relieved a bit to show some white or not is the customer's call. I think that stag looks more traditional with some white showing through...personal preferance I know, but the market seems to like it as well.

At the same time, if a knife is uncomfortable in the hand it doesn't appeal to a lot of people.

The market dictates what is produced which is probably why you had so difficult a time finding the type of handle you like.

 

[Gene]

I like 'em all! As George stated, some stag looks wonderful with some white showing and I probably prefer it that way on most knives. On the other hand, sometimes a rough texture looks fabulous. It all depends on the knife. I AM a stag junkie but there's only one type I don't like and that's where all the surface texture has been buffed out to a smooth surface. What's the purpose? You might as well just make the handles out of Micarta.

As an aside, I had a pair of fabulous sambar stag slabs that I purchased at the OKCA show a few years ago. I had this folder from a famous maker and loved it so much, I sent him the knife along with the slabs to replace the stock G-10 scales. Imagine my horror when the knife arrived with all the surface texture completely buffed out of the stag as in Roger's post. What I had left was a nice set of cream colored Micarta scales! I chalked it up to not communicating enough with the maker. He also told me if he would have left the texture on, he would have had to remove the clip. The clip be damned! I could have lived without it. I do stress again that I should have been more careful in expressing what I wanted to the maker. I also feel though he should have made me aware of what he was going to do. A most sorrowful lesson learned and I traded the knife off.

I'm not slamming anyone who does like all the texture smoothed out of sambar stag but I certainly don't care for it. Heck, the gentleman I traded the knife to loved the look! By the way, nice knives as always Art!

 

[Gene]

Here's a example of something I have that I like. A little gnarly, a little smooth and a whole lot pretty!