Upkeep question

T

Triq

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Oct 1, 2009
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I'm very new to the slippy arena, i just picked up a stockman in stag and was wondering if there is anything i need to know about it? How does stag handle being submerged in water? can i use detergent soaps on it? I'm really just looking for any tips and tricks. Thanks for your time.

Triq
 
Don't let stag get submerged in water if you can help it. Dry it off immediatley if it does. If you want to protect your stag scales you can buy some Rennaisance Wax and rub into the them. This will provide some measure of protection against dirt and moisture.
 
If you need to clean it, because of excess rust or dirt, pick up a bottle of Breakfree. It's a great cleaner/lube for guns/knives. Use a toothbrush or something similar get into the crevices. Wipe down, and use a Qtip to get inside the scales. You may want to let the breakfree sit for a while/overnight, then wipe down. I would not soak the stag in anything, and keep it relatively dry. You can lube, but then wipe down quickly. I'm not a fan of soaking stag in anything. If you intend on cutting food with the knife, then use a little mild soap/water on the blade only. Afterward, wipe down with a little vegetable/olive oil to keep it rust free.

Just one of many opinions.
 
I wouldn't use vegetable or olive oil on a stag knife. It'll go rancid eventually and that gets pretty nasty. Nor would I use Breakfree or any petroleum products. It may not happen immediately, but using petroleum products on natural materials is damaging.

Try mineral oil. It'll protect both the stag handle and the steel blade.
 
I have used food edible mineral oil on stag handles for years without a problem.
 
pogo said:
I have used food edible mineral oil on stag handles for years without a problem.
Click to expand...

+1 :thumbup: I started using some mineral oil on a Case Tony Bose Stag Sowbelly I bought a while back. Used a Q-Tip to apply it liberally to the scales, laid it down on a paper towel for a little while (maybe 15 - 30 minutes) to let it soak in a bit, then used a paper towel or soft rag to wipe off the excess. Seems to work very well. Doesn't get sticky or gummy, it's odorless and it's readily available and CHEAP. It's actually sold as a laxative, I get it in the appropriate section at Walmart. It's also completely clear/colorless, so it won't darken or stain the stag (like other oils might).

As for actually cleaning stag, I wouldn't use anything other than mild soap & water. Dry it off ASAP, then use the mineral oil. Don't use any solvents like WD-40, alcohol, etc., because they'll REALLY DRY IT UP (think CRACKS).
 
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kamagong said:
I wouldn't use vegetable or olive oil on a stag knife. It'll go rancid eventually and that gets pretty nasty. Nor would I use Breakfree or any petroleum products. It may not happen immediately, but using petroleum products on natural materials is damaging.

Try mineral oil. It'll protect both the stag handle and the steel blade.
Click to expand...
FYI, mineral oil is a petroleum product. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_oil

Not saying you shouldn't use it, just that one should be accurate in one's descriptions.
 
kamagong said:
I wouldn't use vegetable or olive oil on a stag knife. It'll go rancid eventually and that gets pretty nasty. Nor would I use Breakfree or any petroleum products. It may not happen immediately, but using petroleum products on natural materials is damaging.

Try mineral oil. It'll protect both the stag handle and the steel blade.
Click to expand...

Just so everyone is on the same page, mineral oil IS a petroleum oil. Having said that, it is food safe and much better than a vegetable oil.
 
I don't recommend ANY oil (mineral or otherwise) on stag. It softens and darkens it. Getting a little oil on stag while lubricating the knife is inevitable, but stag should never be soaked in oil.
Renaissance wax is meant for items that are rarely handled, and it doesn't hold up well. Try neutral shoe polish or paste wax instead. It holds up better and is a lot cheaper.
Stag holds up pretty well to water. After all, it's "installed" on deer and elk that live outside!
 
As I posted earlier, I've been using mineral oil on my Stag Sowbelly's scales for a while now (2 or 3 years), applied with a Q-Tip and allowed to sit for 15 - 30 minutes before wiping the excess off with a towel. I do it maybe once every 3 months or so. No softening, no darkening, no problems. It is, however, a bit shinier and free of cracks. Soaking in oil is one thing, applying in moderation is another.

I do agree that some oils (such as 3-in-1 oil) will stain or darken stag or light-colored bone or wood. 3-in-1 in particular has a slight greenish cast to it that's not immediately obvious until you get it on something light in color (I discovered this by mistake when I used to lubricate my slipjoints with it). But I've had absolutely no problems with mineral oil thus far.
 
Lucky Bob said:
FYI, mineral oil is a petroleum product.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I didn't know that. I made the assumption, wrongly it turns out, that because it is food safe and used as a laxative that it is a non-petroleum product. Live and learn I guess.
 
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