Stag care

4

.41Dude

Joined
Apr 11, 2004
Messages
187
Howdy people! I am sure I am not the first to ask, but I cannot find the answer thru the search function.
Here in southwestern Idaho we have hot DRY summers. What would you suggest for Buck Stag handle care. I want to keep them conditioned and in top shape.
Thanks for your input.
Steve.
 
Mineral oil seems to be the most popular. Soak the entire knife it it once a year and then wipe off the excess.Oil wont hurt the rest of the knife. What model do you have.I have the 501 and 503 and that's what i learned here.
 
Thanks guy! I have two stag Kalingas, #21 and #54.
I have never had a stag fixed blade and am enjoying them a lot.
There is one left over on e-bay, currently at $300.00 (yikes)
Looks like I have a new addiction :)
Thanks again.
Steve.
 
There really isn't anything that is particularly necessary to do to stag to maintain it. When it comes on a knife it is already dry and hard. The real problem occurs when it gets wet. It will swell and pull away from the liners or tang and when it dries it will be distorted. I think more importantly is to keep the knife stored in a dry place. In your case you shouldn't really have to worry. Just food for thought.
Scott
 
Thanks Scott! I was worried about the stag getting cracked from the dry heat. Good to know about keeping it dry.
I am used to keeping leather goods, boots, holsters, sheaths conditioned and was not sure about the stag.
Now I have another problem. I keep surfing the net for more Buck Stag handle knives.
The only thing holding me back is money :(
Steve.
 
Steve,
I know what you mean. I'm a real sucker for stag. My absolute favorite! I collect Buck knives and most of the stag ones are folders. I did pick up a stag 119 from the same dealer friend that I got the Geronimo custom shop piece. Your right they're hard to come by.(so is money ha ha!) Just keep searching, that's what this game is all about! :D
Scott
 
Scott, interesting thought.I've only heard here about my above described method. Does the oil harm the stag? I have a 501 that soaked up the oil like a sponge and i think it smiled at me.
take care, guy
 
guyg,
I've never tried that because I've never had a problem with stag other then it getting wet. I went rafting once and was carrying a Case copperlock with stag handles. I fell out of the raft soaking the knife as well as the sheath. When we got back to camp I looked at it and the stag swelled and was pulling away from the liners! :eek: The only situation I had with oil was that I read that oiling a sheath with peanut oil would prolong it's life. Don't do it! The sucker will always seep oil. I put the knife in the sheath and it oil stained the stag. Once the oil is in the stag it won't come out. I don't think it will harm it, I just didn't like the look of the stag after the oil stained it.
Scott
 
I'd read some posts on it here and did it because that particular knife didnt feel right.Kinda like a car that looks good, but the paint feels like it needs a good wax.Thanks for your input .guy
 
I've used the mineral oil on my Damascus Stag 110. This is one of the "original" ones marked BUCK 110V :D (can't remember what year that signifies). It's still in great shape, but then again... I've never brought myself to use it... :rolleyes:
 

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I'm a believer in mineral oil on natural scales. I live in the desert and things do really dry out here. I think if you wipe some mineral oil on and leave it for a couple of hours, most natural handle materials will suck it up. If they don't, they didn't need it. Pretty easy in my book.

Bill
 
Hey, I would also like to know the "4 sure" answer on the proper care of stag. It would be a shame to ruin a nice knife with improper treatment, especially a valuable old favorite / collectible.

Maybe one or more of the experts from Buck could offer some insight here?
 
Sounds like you guys had good luck with the mineral oil. Maybe I'll give it a try. I never felt the need to since Maryland is not a dry climate state except in the dead of winter. We have alot of humidity during the summer. guyg sounds like you can't go wrong with mineral oil. :) Maybe because of the darker color of the peanut and neetsfoot oil combined with the dye from the leather sheath, it stained the stag giving it an unpleasant appearance. Mineral oil is clear and would not stain it as in my situation.
Scott
Sorry 41Dude, since this was your question, good results with mineral oil, might as well give it a try ;)
 
Scott, i know what you mean about neatsfoot oil.It will turn Black leather even darker.I use saddle soap on my sheaths or Lexol. They will darken also, but with out the oily after feel.
take card, guy
 
guyg, you know what else works good is plain old neutral shoe polish. When I make a sheath for my handmade knives, after they dry from dying I rub them with Kiwi neutral shoe polish. Real good protection without alot of darkening to the leather.
Scott
 
Scott,
I totally agree about the neutral shoe polish. I carry my pocketknives in small cases (a Slippie :) ) and the shoe polish keeps the case from absobing sweat, etc. I don't think I have near the staining or discolorization as I would without treating them.
I think A.G. Russell was where I learned about that, and he for sure knows his stuff. :D

Bill

P.S. not meant to be a hijack. :(
 
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