Stag handle

[beluga]

Okay, what kind of solution is used to condition stag handle other than oil ? I remember something from this forum a couple of weeks/months ago, but I don't know where to find it.

 

[Todd Robbins]

I've made several knives with whitetail antler handles in the past, and I coat them with boiled linseed oil, hand sand to 2000 grit, coat with bee's wax, and polish with a soft cloth. They repel moisture very well, but I can't attest to the longevity of such finish, as I have only been knife making on a hobby basis for about four years. As an aside, according to "American Primitive Knives 1770-1870' by Gordon B. Minnis, file steel was the predominent blade material and deer antler was the most popular handle material of knifemakers in the U.S. during the time period of the book. One of the knifemaker's supply catalogs offers stabilization services of nearly any natural handle material, but I can't remember which one, and I don't have my catqalog with me. I'm sure you can find it in the forum archives. Good Luck!