Stag shrinkage

J

jdm21

Joined
Nov 10, 2002
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Once stag/bone/antler has shrunken in size due to drying out, is there any way to restore its size. Thanks JDM21
 
stag, or bone both contract and expend with moisture (humidity, temp., ect.). mineral oil isnt a bad idea, but dont expect instant results.
 
I suggested the mineral oil because Jerry Fisk reccomends soaking ivory in it twice a year to replace moisture and figure maybe it would do the same for stag.
 
If an organic material, such as stag, has been stabilized, wouldn't that keep any liquid from absorbing?

Otoh, wouldn't stabilizing with a natural oil instead of 'poxy or acrylics give the material a head start for preservation and not change the character as much? The only downside I see is sweaty handles.

Cheers

GC
 
mineral oil will also slightly change color of bone, stag, ect. (very slightly).

you cant use the term stabilized the same way you would use it in terms of stabilized wood. Bone and stag still have pores.
 
At last year's Guild Show Jerry Fisk told my wife and I to soak stag in mineral oil at least once a year to maintain it. Let it soak for one to three days, this will allow it time to soak into the stag.
 
As a maintainance to keep stag from shrinking, mineral oil helps. I have not heard that it will do anything once the stag has already moved. It can't hurt to give it a try and I would sure like to know how things turn out.

Yes, stabilizing keeps moisture and oilf from being absorbed into a material, but once it is stabilized it should not need to be soaked in mineral oil. Just a little Ren Wax a couple of times a year should keep it well maintained.

Using mineral oil does definitely help to preserve stag, but it does not work nearly as well as stabiling will. It is correct though, that it will not change the appearance as acrylic stabilizing does.
 
wouldn't that change the grip?

and oh, hey, i'm not the only one to find the title funny :D
 
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