Stag Problem

David Loukides

David Loukides

Joined
Mar 17, 2006
Messages
1,363
Hi Guy's,
The stag I am using is at least 2 years old. Normally I see a little bit of moisture in the pulp but this latest piece there is a lot of moisture. I have now removed all the pulp but am questioning the moisture in the stag.
Any Suggestion??????
Dave
 
All antler needs to be dried. Most folks just hang it in the shop rafters for a year or two. Some folks make a drying cabinet with a 75 watt bulb. If yours is still damp after 2 years, it must have been sitting in water or something. Hang it in a warm ( 60-80F) place with good air flow for six months to finish drying. DO NOT try and speed it up with heat.
 
Thanks Stacy,
I really thought It was a problem. The stag was in with all of the rest of my stag and based on the price on the handle it was bought a while back.
This is when I have to say to my self "Patience."
Dave
 
David Loukides said:
Hi Guy's,
The stag I am using is at least 2 years old. Normally I see a little bit of moisture in the pulp but this latest piece there is a lot of moisture. I have now removed all the pulp but am questioning the moisture in the stag.
Any Suggestion??????
Dave
Click to expand...

I'm still learning about antlers, but I got 7 Sambar tapers from Scotland a year ago and I'm in the process of putting # 6 on a blade.
In cutting out the very porous pith core I noticed it was kinda wet, but it wasn't water.
I believe it can be some kind of fluid fat or grease and this is why it wasn't dry.

Can it be the same with Your antler?


Regards
Mikael
 
Hi Mikael,
That is a good Description,
Greasy Feeling.

I just checked a couple of others all dry but one.
They were purchased back when the price was $35 a piece.

Dave
 
Fine Stag doesn't come cheap these days, but it has a certain magic to it that makes it worth to use!
My guessing is that the stag is dry, but as with wood, I suppose it's better to store it way ahead of use to be on the safe side.

Regards
Mikael
 
Hi Mikael,
I usually buy handle material 1+ years in advance. Most is 2 years or older.
I wait to use wood till I get a moisture reading of 8% or lower, taking the reading on a fresh cut.
Most of the wood right next to my stag is 6%. It would be ready for stabilization if I wanted.
I have not used stag a lot till lately but this piece threw me a curve.
Thanks,
Dave
 
A lot of this is all ready to go.
Wendy has a hard time believing me when I say I need more.
More of What see says.
Sorry for going off topic.:o

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Once it gets dried out, why not remove all of the pith anyway and replace it with epoxy?
 
Hi Joe,
That gets done in the normal process of events but what struck me was how "Greasy" this pith was.
Thank's
Dave
 
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