What do you look for in a Stag handled GEC?

Here's some variety to consider.
Top Père David stag, grooved on a Wright Pruner frame Lambfoot
GEC Sambar grooved on 73 liner-lock
Bark Sambar on a Weidmannsheil lockback
Bark Sambar on a re-handled Lloyd (originally Jigged Bone)

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This GEC 53 is a great example of Burnt Stag. It's my near daily carry for the last 7-8 years. I think I actually prefer the 'common' burnt to the natural stag that seems to drive most collectors.
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These two natural stag just sit around and look pretty.

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rockgolfer said:
Stag has been an acquired taste for me. I love the individuality of each piece. It feels very good in hand and has some of the best retention in hand of any scale material wet and dry while using.

For me, I love thin stag that has some good "popcorn" going on. I also like more sleek texture on some. The fun is finding one that speaks to you and enjoying it.

This is an example of thin with popcorn on a #35 churchill

sQR9EN3.jpg


6r0aBrV.jpg


ZI8UQly.jpg


I enjoy that both sides are different, some scoff at it. Just like some love a big thick chunk of stag. To each their own. You really wont know what you like till you handle a few.

Here is some smoother stag on a #77 frame forum knife

u5uzJLs.jpg


tub2Vq7.jpg


b5dxAmA.jpg


You can see it still has texture but not as extreme. Just as grippy imho. It is not super skinny but it is also not even close to fat. Variety is the spice of life :)
Click to expand...
rockgolfer said:
Stag has been an acquired taste for me. I love the individuality of each piece. It feels very good in hand and has some of the best retention in hand of any scale material wet and dry while using.

For me, I love thin stag that has some good "popcorn" going on. I also like more sleek texture on some. The fun is finding one that speaks to you and enjoying it.

This is an example of thin with popcorn on a #35 churchill

sQR9EN3.jpg


6r0aBrV.jpg


ZI8UQly.jpg


I enjoy that both sides are different, some scoff at it. Just like some love a big thick chunk of stag. To each their own. You really wont know what you like till you handle a few.

Here is some smoother stag on a #77 frame forum knife

u5uzJLs.jpg


tub2Vq7.jpg


b5dxAmA.jpg


You can see it still has texture but not as extreme. Just as grippy imho. It is not super skinny but it is also not even close to fat. Variety is the spice of life :)
Click to expand...
Are these handles on 35 made from the same antler, with different colors on each side?
 
At one time stag was not thought of as the premium material like it is today. It was used along with Bone, jigged or smooth) or wood as material for working knives. Premium materials were genuine pearl or Ivory. Stag was relatively cheap and plentiful then and run of the mill stag then would be considered super premium now. What we call run of the mill stuff would have been put in the scrap bucket. What I look for in stag is some color and character, evenly matched side to side in thickness and color, not too smooth or too rough and little or no pith showing and NOT REAL THICK. I have passed up a lot of nice knives waiting for one that suits me. For pistol grips I go the other way and like them mostly smooth with a little character for looks.

Here are some stag I have or have had, This is all Sambar Stag as I am not a fan of elk, moose etc although some European red Stag is pretty nice.

A very old bottle opener that has been in the family for generations.



A 2014 Bladeforums Jack I used to have, the stag is VERY nice on this one





A nice old John Primble pen knife




A Ruger Speed Six and Geno Denning small hunter


 
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