"Stag" questions

Mongo

Mongo

Joined
Nov 5, 2001
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Greetings all, I have some rudimentary but burning questions about "stag" I know about the ban on Sambar stag from India. Now for my questions.....
1. What makes sambar stag the best? Is it the best?
2. There are other types of "stag", for example "red stag", elk-horn, and I'm sure other various antlered critters as well. Are these types acceptable for handle use? Do these types of "stag" have less value in the collectable sense?
3. Other than periodic light coat of mineral oil, is there anything else that should be done? Are there better products than mineral oil for protecting "stag"?
4. Will the ban on sambar stag ever be lifted?

I probably have more questions, just can't think of them now. Looking forward to your replies,
Mongo
 
1. What makes sambar stag the best? Is it the best?

Same thing that makes one song a big hit and another song a big flop, people's opinions. Personally, I like Caribou antler much more than Sambar stag or any other antler but then I'm wierd that way. I even like elk antler but alot of folks have told me it has too much marrow and isn't strong enough for knife handles. I always drill out all the marrow and fill the void with epoxy and never had a problem with and it looks great. I suppose we should send all antler or bone or any natural porous handle material out to a professional and have it stabilized before using it on a knife, especially a knife that isn't a wall hanger.
 
I think it is the best. Ive used almost everything else and go back to sambar. I like ivory a bit better but sambar is more rare now I think since we cant hardly get it short of doing something illegal like flying to India and smuggleing it onto the airplane. The other antlers dont seem as heavy and retain that warm glow also hold the value as genuine stag. I wish I was smart enough to see this shortage coming and stock piled a ton of it.

See my pistol/folder. I love the stuff.
 
The stag I see around these days that cost 38 bucks for a pair of scales I wouldn't have even looked at a couple of years ago. For the most part from what I have seen lately, the stag out there now is scraping the bottom of the barrel. Yeah, its stag, but that's about it.

C Wilkins
 
To answer your questions from my point of view:

1. Sambar is only one of a group of deer /elk that will deliver what was formerly also known under the name of india stag. The others that you could find were indian axis and sika. What makes the stag of these animals the best is the density, the weight, the colour and the beautiful surface of these antlers. Plus it was available in the form of rounds, points, slabs and conical pieces.

2. Other antlers. I have used reindeer/caribou, moose, european elk, whitetail, mule deer and other antlers for handles. Allof these types are more or less acceptable for handle use. Some are as dense as india stag, some have the same beautiful surface or structure, some deliver good rounds, but none have it all like india stag. And yes, i think that these antlers have less value in the collectable sense.

3. Good antlers that are stored in a drawer don't need more than an occasional rub with mineral oil. Good antlers in daily use don't need anything, because the skin fat is sufficcient. Oh, by the way, good antlers get more and more beautiful while using them. They get shinier and somewhat translucent.

4. Will the ban on sambar stag ever be lifted? Please, ask the indian government. I don't mind right now because i have india stag material for about 200 handles in stock and it is by far not the only thing i use.

Achim
 
I use red deer, sambar and whitetail antler.

Red deer is the whitest of the three, has a bumpy texture but is the thin shelled. I use it on smaller knives where the sambar would not be suitable.

Sambar has a deeply veined texture, slightly off white colour and a thick outer shell, great for larger knives

Whitetail is smoother, decidedly off white and thin shelled. I use it only in crown stag applications. Of the three whitetail has the most dramatic crown of all.

All three should be kept oiled on a regular basis depending on local conditions.
 
How do you maintain it (i.e., what kind of oil?)

Also, just as a side note, Sambar also exist in New Zealand and Australia. I noticed that one day I was doing a search on the net - there are several hunting trip companies that sell sambar hunts in those 2 countries. I'm sure there would be ways to make a few juicy bucks from importing Sambar from there... hint, hint...

JD
 
How do you maintain it (i.e., what kind of oil?)
Click to expand...

Mineral oil, Joss. You can get at grocery stores or a pharmacy. Just wipe the antler or soak it in the oil for a day or two if possible at least on an annual basis. The soaking method idea I got from Jerry Fisk. IIRC, he said soaking it for a day or two allows the stag to absorb some of the oil and keeps the antler in good condition. This is paraphrasing of course. I can't remember exactly how he put it, just the gist of it. (My poor memory for quotations is from a mis-spent youth and the ravages of aging.):rolleyes:
 
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