Would you buy a knife just because the stag handle is really nice?

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

I voted no. This may change if it was a pattern that I do not have, for an attractive price. My knife collection is focused on diversity so I try and get one of everything. But if it was a pattern I had, or one that was unattractive to me then I would not buy it.

Case in point. Each April there is our big Antique Show here. I go, usually get a couple of cheap deals, and look for the great deals. Thus year there was a guy with a couple of slipjoints out. Just getting into understanding these knives, I looked at them in detail. The seller noticed my interest and invited me behind his table to look at the box of them he had. Looking through I found a good assortment of users (my type of knife). A very large pruner stuck out of the crowd. Great powerful walk and talk, beautiful full, round stag handles, and a blade that somebody took to an angle grinder. I liked the shape, handle and action, but he wanted way too much for me so I turned it down- knowing those were the best stag on a pruner I have seen and am likely to see any time soon.

Unless the whole package is acceptable, the knife isn't. Too many knives out there for me to choose one based on a single positive (handle material), if there are other negatives involved. (not talking about touching up the knife after purchase, more things small touchups won't address-shape, condition....)

Just my opinion.

 

[Campbellclanman]

Jake, I agree, that Buck of Davids is pretty darn cool :thumbup: good score Dave.
All in all after hearing what you have to say, I probably wouldnt if that were the case.
I am tending now to grow towards single bladed knives, but then this changes when I carry my Vintage or Antique knives

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Thanks Duncan.

 

[Jakeboy]

I voted Yes, because I've done it in the past and will most likely do it again in the future. I love stag handled knives. There's just something really cool about the look stag gives a knife.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I'll add this qualification to my earlier reply.

If I know that a particular knife has a reputation for poor steel quality, or significant issues with functionality or fit/finish, then no manner of dressing up the handles will make me buy it. Sort of the 'lipstick on a pig' scenario, in other words (it'll still be a pig, and a colossal waste of fancy handle material).

 

[Robert.B]

I'll add this qualification to my earlier reply.

If I know that a particular knife has a reputation for poor steel quality, or significant issues with functionality or fit/finish, then no manner of dressing up the handles will make me buy it. Sort of the 'lipstick on a pig' scenario, in other words (it'll still be a pig, and a colossal waste of fancy handle material).

If its cheap enough, and I know I'll buy it solely to rip apart I dont mind buying it for the stag alone...especially when good stag (especially sambar) is getting extremely rare...I have a full sambar antler that I have yet to cut up, I'm hesitant to actually because its a really nice antler with popcorning over the whole tine.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

If its cheap enough, and I know I'll buy it solely to rip apart I dont mind buying it for the stag alone...especially when good stag (especially sambar) is getting extremely rare...I have a full sambar antler that I have yet to cut up, I'm hesitant to actually because its a really nice antler with popcorning over the whole tine.

If I were confident enough to strip one for the 'parts', to be 're-purposed' on another, I could definitely understand that. :thumbup:

I'm not there yet, maybe someday.

 

[thatotherguy]

I might, if the quality is good and the price is right. Example- Boker stag barlow, absolutely. Same knife made by bear and son, errr... I'll take a frost cutlery knife over that any day.

 

[supratentorial]

Thanks for all the responses guys! :thumbup: