Taking care of Stag

coyote711

coyote711

Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
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I've got my first stag handled knife on the way, and I'm wondering if there is anything I need to know when it comes to taking care of stag. I've only had bone or synthetic handles before, and haven't worried too much when it comes to cleaning & lubing them - WD-40, Hoppe's #9, even used Brakeclean a time or two on a really dirty used knife I picked up. Now I certainly don't anticipate using brake cleaner around a stag handled knife, but are there any caveats I need to be aware of when it comes to taking care of stag?

Thanks! :thumbup:
 
I heard that Mineral oil should be the only thing to put on the stag to keep it from drying out. WD-40 is not a good idea for stag.

God Bless
 
I always give my stag a coat of Renaissance Wax and buff off with a clean rag.
 
I just rub in a bit of Formby's Penetrating Lemon Oil Treatment every few months with my fingers. Works like a charm.
 
wagglebee said:
I always heard that mineral oil would discolor and eventually soften stag.
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No, just don't use any random grade of mineral oil with whatever additives -- pure food/pharmaceutical grade white mineral oil is what you want. And don't go crazy with it -- apply a little with your finger, enough to cover nicely without excess, let it sit for a while, then rub it down with a soft cloth to remove any left on the surface. Same thing with lemon oil.
 
zerogee said:
No, just don't use any random grade of mineral oil with whatever additives -- pure food/pharmaceutical grade white mineral oil is what you want. And don't go crazy with it -- apply a little with your finger, enough to cover nicely without excess, let it sit for a while, then rub it down with a soft cloth to remove any left on the surface. Same thing with lemon oil.
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You mean the stuff you buy at the pharmacy that used to be used as a laxative right?
 
comoha said:
I always give my stag a coat of Renaissance Wax and buff off with a clean rag.
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Same here. I use a small dab of Renaissance wax on all of my knives. It's great for protecting natural materials, as well as serving as a reasonably effective rust preventative for carbon steel.

If you use various oils like mineral or lemon, be careful to avoid those that contain petroleum distillates, as they tend to leech out the natural oils in wood, horn and other organic materials over time.
 
wagglebee said:
You mean the stuff you buy at the pharmacy that used to be used as a laxative right?
Click to expand...

Yes, though I got a supply of it from a chef's supply as food safe Norton Sharpening Stone Oil "safe for kitchen use" -- it's simply pharmaceutical grade white mineral oil.
 
I used mineral oil for awhile until I read Bill deShivs response. I've coughed up the extra $$ for Ren Wax and am very happy with it.

Mike
 
i don't think stag needs anything. i have lots of vintage stag handled knives, a few are ~ 100 years old. stag is fine, no cracks, good color.
i have also received a few oldies in which the stag is really dry and faded. maybe they were stored in a window or went through a dishwasher a few times ? these i have applied a light coat of mineral oil.
my Eye Brand sodbuster style knife has been used a lot in last 3 years and exposed to sun, rain, snow, and dirt and the stag handles look just as good as day one.
roland
 
stag is really tuff stuff & as others mentioned can last over 100 yrs. the only one i've seen affected in my experience was an eye folding hunter i gave to my stepfather. he left it on his 4 wheeler in a non h2o proof carrier for 2 yrs & h2o bleached the color on one scale. no cracks & i cleaned it up & put it back in service. i believe natural wax is not a bad idea ocassionally.
 
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