Why do they burn stag? Why pins?

B

billg1949

Joined
Sep 29, 2011
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27
how come i never see just stag?? its always "burnt stag"

also....the owner of Bark River said one time that with modern adhesives, there is no need for pins any more....
but customers expect them on a knife so makers keep using pins.

thanks..........Bill
 
Adhesives work okay for the most part, but adhesives are susceptible to lots of things including the improper surface preparation and application thereof. I have several knives that are assembled with adhesives (covers) without a single failure so far. But shields seem to be notorious for falling out if just glued in. The mechanical attachment of pins may or may not be more durable than modern adhesives, but I think it gives a comfort factor to the owner of the knife. After all, you can see a missing pin, but may not notice a debonded area of adhesive.

Regarding stag, there are examples of natural stag from most manufacturers that use stag. You just have to look for it. They burn stag to give it somewhat of an aged look I think. I don't believe it imparts any specific benefit other than that. Someone with more knowledge about stag covers may have more input.

Ed J
 
I have read some manufactures saying that burning stag seals it. Not sure I buy that. I think it's to add color to it.
 
A tradional knife need pins to be traditional. Well, most other types need a pin or fastener as well. Modern adhesives may hold, but why take the chance, and most knives just look better with pins.

Some companies don't get all good stag, and they can burn the stag they get that is mostly white to make it look better.
Custom makers get mostly great stag, and have no need to burn it. I have some Case knives with burnt stag that look great to me.
 
Glue fails. I've had two knives lose their pins and scales because the glue failed. Solvents, oils, etc can destroy the glue. Pins work. And if they come lose, it's an easy and permanent fix.
 
You'd still have to pin the liners, blades, and springs- I imagine peening the pins over the liners and then having to drill little inlets in the covers to allow fit over the peened ends would be a pain.

Then if repairs were needed, any glue strong enough to ensure a lifetime of adhesion might be so strong as to require destruction of the covers during removal.
 
markpmc said:
You're right BRKT switched to corby bolts from pins are few years ago ;)
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Corby bolts are what I used to hold handles on too. They are seriously strong and you can finish them to replicate the look of a flush pin.

I would actually prefer it. I suppose its not traditional though?

As for burning, I would much prefer burning with Potassium permanganate than with a torch. I like the look of stag that has been skillfully dyed and burned with Potassium permanganate over the look of torch burned stag.

Kevin
 
I use potassium permanganate on my stag that is lacking deep color but also find sealing open parts of the antler (like where the brow tine was cut off) with a 3 hour industrial resin/super glue from loc-tite helps keep the stag from being affected by moisture...only where cuts have been though as I also have found use of mineral oil on stag stops the little fissures that can occur on older stag.
 
Maybe I dreamed this, but I thought stag got burned as a way to find it. Start a fire and burn down afield and then the stag horns show up easier.
 
db said:
Maybe I dreamed this, but I thought stag got burned as a way to find it. Start a fire and burn down afield and then the stag horns show up easier.
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That is why India banned the collection and export of stag.
Too much loss of habitat with all the underbrush being burnt.

As for burnt stag scales, I always thought it was a technique to make the lesser grades of stag look 'better'
 
Ebbtide said:
That is why India banned the collection and export of stag.
Too much loss of habitat with all the underbrush being burnt.

As for burnt stag scales, I always thought it was a technique to make the lesser grades of stag look 'better'
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Banned but it still happens, the handle on my bowie was shipped from india this year...not sure how legal that was of the seller but its hard getting crown rolls here that look good.
 
I've only got one piece of stag. It's a GEC #85 bullet end & it's not burnt. Pile side looks like a pile, but the shield side's great! Definitely not burnt though.
 
The stag crown or whatever is "burnt" using heat today. I believe its trying to replicate the
potassium permanganate "burn" -( amber stag-) used to kill bacteria or whatever on the antler coming into
this country. Have never saw any antler in the raw state without the pp burn or heat that was
naturally that inner color- usually a white or off gray color. I have saw stag that was heat colored or
burnt surface flake when the person with the heat got a little heavy handed.
Ken.
 
kc custom said:
The stag crown or whatever is "burnt" using heat today. I believe its trying to replicate the
potassium permanganate "burn" -( amber stag-) used to kill bacteria or whatever on the antler coming into
this country. Have never saw any antler in the raw state without the pp burn or heat that was
naturally that inner color- usually a white or off gray color. I have saw stag that was heat colored or
burnt surface flake when the person with the heat got a little heavy handed.
Ken.
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This antler is a natural shed, undyed that I found myself almost 15 years ago...its from a Red deer in NZ...bottom of the crown is white and when you use potassium it will go brown or a dark yellow.
 
Robert.B said:
Banned but it still happens, the handle on my bowie was shipped from india this year...not sure how legal that was of the seller but its hard getting crown rolls here that look good.
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Since the initial 'ban' they have been releasing some a bit at a time.
The 'ban' was more about the harvesting method.
From what I read in Blade back then there were warehouses full of the stuff just waiting.
 
C Ben Susrool said:
^^^^Nice ! ^^^^^
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Thanks, I get it in my head every few years to cut it up but I can't bring myself to do it lol

Ebbtide said:
Since the initial 'ban' they have been releasing some a bit at a time.
The 'ban' was more about the harvesting method.
From what I read in Blade back then there were warehouses full of the stuff just waiting.
Click to expand...

Explains why the piece I got looks like it had been sitting over 30 years...was dusty and nicely dried out, fresh antler never works out, moves too much.
 
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