What is stag??

Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
1,168
I'm wondering, what exactly is stag? I know what it looks like in general, but there are many terms being thrown around (Burnt Stag, Natural Stag, Genuine Stag, India Sambar Stag, Elk Stag, Second Cut Stag, Stag Bone, etc...).

Can you all shed some light on what exactly stag is and the different varieties that are possible?

Thanks! :D
 
Stag, antler from the sambar stag in India is valued for handles because of the uniform denseity of the inner material, unlike domestic deer antler that tends to be 'pithy' in the core. Then there's the red stag from Europe like in Germany. While not as nice as the Indian sambar stag, the European red stag is some very nice stuff when you get good examples of it.

Carl.
 
I'm wondering, what exactly is stag? I know what it looks like in general, but there are many terms being thrown around (Burnt Stag, Natural Stag, Genuine Stag, India Sambar Stag, Elk Stag, Second Cut Stag, Stag Bone, etc...).

Can you all shed some light on what exactly stag is and the different varieties that are possible?

Thanks! :D
Just about all the Stag used on knives today comes from the Sambar Stag native to India and Southeast Asia. I believe the modern material called "Red Stag" is Sambar Stag that has been dyed. I believe genuine European Stag from the European Red Deer has been banned for quite some time.
GEC,and some other companies have different names for Sambar Stag depending on how it acquired and prepared as handle material. I am most familiar with the GEC types of Stag.
1. Genuine Stag is acquired in rolls,just a section of horn,and and cut into slabs,fit to the knives,sanded and buffed totally in house. All this is done by old time methods and there is no dying,burning or other treatment whatsoever. GEC doesn't even rout the Genuine Stag forn Inlay Shield.
2. Natural Stag is acquired in pre-cut handle slabs. When GEC is preparing a run of knives to be handled in Stag,they take the very best of the Stag Handle slabs and use these for Natural Stag. They match the slabs as best is possible,fit them on the knives and grind buff and polish them. No dye or coloring is used on the Natural Stag.
3. Burnt Stag is basically what is left after the very best is used for Natural Stag. It is bought in in slabs,fit to the knives,then ground,buffed and polished. The last step for Burnt Stag is a little flame from a propane torch to add a little color. All knife companies use this method. Few let it be known.
4. Second Cut Stag is a handle slab cut from the antler after the first,most colorful,layer has been removed.
5. Bone Stag is cattle bone that has been jigged or prepared to resemble Sambar Stag
6. Elk Stag is most generally from the shed horns of the North American Elk.

I hope this helps!
 
sometimes i prefer burnt stag to natural stag, the buttery colors are amazing. but the natural stag has the canyons and bumps you dont find in burnt .
 
STAG....absolutely love the stuff and the animals themselves....A fellow New Zealander is undoubtedly the world authority on deer (Dr Bruce Banwell)...... FES

Me at 3 1/2 years of age..

hamurana001.jpg


And 40 plus years later i guide from this property...Some good blood lines here..

jobtwins010.jpg


jobtwins001.jpg


jobtwins002.jpg


jobtwins008.jpg
 
mate those pics are antler tastic.
my neighbours came over on Boxing day for a few drinks and he gave me some venison jerky . It comes from the feral Rusa population here in the Illawarra .
His workmate hunts and cures it. Its not super chewy like other stuff. Absolutley delicious.
 
Thanks, rma100-- that helps. I know I've read that information before (possibly due to your efforts!), but it was becoming fuzzy again.

Great pictures, FES, all of 'em.


I'd like a seat on the left, please.


(I love the empty boots at the threshold.)

~ P.
 
Her I am struggling to find a few nice tips for a project and you have it stacked around a door way.
I would love to get my hands on a few of those racks.

Richard

Edit: a few of those jaw bones inside would be great as well.
 
I enjoy whitetail deer hunting here in Pennsylvania and have seen some impressive rack collections but Fes those pictures are incredible. I would love the opportunity to hunt such a beautiful animal. Although I do not have any stag handled knives yet, they sure are my favorite in pictures. To those that have knives with some gnarly stag covers, how do they feel in hand?
 
TURK...they feel great in hand,albeit a bit heavier than most synthetic grips....Heres my OLD TIMER duo i did in SIKA ........ FES

matchd002-1.jpg


matchd001-1.jpg
 
FYI,Stag Handle material,unlike bone or wood,does not become slippery when blood-soaked,as in field dressing game. It actually gets rather sticky. Those of you who have field dressed big game animals with cold hands can appreciate this.
 
FYI,Stag Handle material,unlike bone or wood,does not become slippery when blood-soaked,as in field dressing game. It actually gets rather sticky. Those of you who have field dressed big game animals with cold hands can appreciate this.

Totally agree ....... FES
 
FYI,Stag Handle material,unlike bone or wood,does not become slippery when blood-soaked,as in field dressing game. It actually gets rather sticky. Those of you who have field dressed big game animals with cold hands can appreciate this.

Yes you are absolutly right! Wisconsin deer seasons can get cold and some of my favs have had stag handles.
 
Back
Top