Stag - Natural, Burnt or Dyed?

I'm a big fan of older stag. I don't know if it's burnt, dyed or natural. It just has the look I like.

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kootenay joe said:
GEC has "Natural Stag" and "Genuine Stag". What is the difference ?
kj
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Speaking off the cuff as I don't know this to be true, but I assume natural stag is a subset of genuine stag. i.e. Burnt stag, natural stag, and 3rd cut stag are all genuine stag, where something like "bone stag", or bone that has been cut and died to look like stag is not.

EDIT: from GEC's site:
Stag
Refers to the appearance or material of a knife handle. “Genuine stag” is a term meaning antler horn material. “Bone stag” was developed as an inexpensive substitute for genuine stag and is made from the shin bone of cattle. The outside surface is cut with routers for the desired appearance and the material dyed to the desired color. Animal bone is very brittle and bone handles often break when a knife is just dropped on the floor. Bone stag handles are very porous, absorb liquids easily, and with time and exposure to sunshine gradually fade to a bone white. Consequently, they have been replaced in most instances by high quality plastics.
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Wazu013: What is that beast in the top photo of your post?! It looks like some sort of convertible length half folder, half fixed blade?

Very strange, and very cool, I've never seen anything like it before. And beautiful stag on it!
 
justsomedude said:
Wazu013: What is that beast in the top photo of your post?! It looks like some sort of convertible length half folder, half fixed blade?

Very strange, and very cool, I've never seen anything like it before. And beautiful stag on it!
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Glad you asked. I was wondering the same thing myself.
 
bleh, GEC was grading their Stag (not sure if they are still doing it this way), such that "Natural Stag" & "Genuine Stag" were the 2 top grades. I forget which was the best and which was second best. What i was asking is what did they use to make this judgement call ? And which is top of the line ?
kj
 
I think Genuine Stag is when GEC gets the antlers and turns them into slabs themselves while Natural Stag are the cherry-picked slabs from their supplier that they don't feel need torching (those become Burnt Stag).

Which is top of the line? Whichever one is on the knife you like best might be the only answer.
 
I've heard GEC doesn't put shields on genuine stag. I'd like to see more of that.
 
Biggie_Robs said:
I think Genuine Stag is when GEC gets the antlers and turns them into slabs themselves while Natural Stag are the cherry-picked slabs from their supplier that they don't feel need torching (those become Burnt Stag).

Which is top of the line? Whichever one is on the knife you like best might be the only answer.
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Close Enough.
 
kootenay joe said:
bleh, GEC was grading their Stag (not sure if they are still doing it this way), such that "Natural Stag" & "Genuine Stag" were the 2 top grades. I forget which was the best and which was second best. What i was asking is what did they use to make this judgement call ? And which is top of the line ?
kj
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Natural Stag and Genuine Stag were never "grades" used by GEC. They were two different forms of the same material. They were brought in in different forms and therefore required different preparation for use as a handle scale. The only "grading" ever done by GEC is the Sambar Stag that comes in as rough scales. The most colorful is used natural, the rest is burnt. Genuine Stag comes in in "rounds" or sections of antler and is prepared, from the round, into handle scales by hand, the old way.
 
justsomedude said:
Wazu013: What is that beast in the top photo of your post?! It looks like some sort of convertible length half folder, half fixed blade?

Very strange, and very cool, I've never seen anything like it before. And beautiful stag on it!
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It's a Case 551. It was their version of a folding Pig Sticker or folding bowie. It's a pretty rare bird especially with the sheath.
 
Very grooved burnt:

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Smoother Natural. This one was I recall, mislabeled and GEC sent me a sticker to put over the tube with the correct info. need to root that tube out:D

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hmmm my #48 is coming in with stag, wonder if itll hold up. probably wont be carrying it because itll be my most expensive traditional
 
Hold up?? Stag is actually a very durable choice, less prone to chipping or cracking than bone. If it looks good, it 'll look even better with use:thumbup:

Thanks, Will
 
kamagong said:
Whatever looks good. Seriously. I've encountered some really nice examples of "lesser" quality stag, while some of what I've seen of the genuine article made me think that there really is no accounting for taste. Stag is so individual that you have to judge each piece on its merits.
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That is the best advice. :) Many times I have seen "Burnt Stag" that out shines the "Genuine Stag"

AND, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. For me, I like the popcorn stuff, but I have customers who swear by the smooth.
 
Very true Derrick. Stag is wonderfully variable, that's its lure.

Mind you, it must be a bit of a nightmare to sell at times :D Trying to satisfy everybody's quirks...:eek::eek:
 
Here's my Burnt 78. Some "burnt" slabs look more natural than others. This is not one of them, but like it anyway. ;)

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