Your thoughts on Case Genuine Stag?

K

Kube

Joined
Jul 11, 2010
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Well I'm new here (1st post), I'm mainly a Victorinox collector but recently I've been crossing over to Case. I only have 2 at the moment (a yellow CV stockman and a Bonestag toothpick). I am thinking about buying something in sambar stag next, and I just was wondering what do you think of their stag, and how does it compare to Bonestag? And also if you have any pictures you could put up of it that would be awesome (because you know those stock images just don't do them justice, lol). Thanks!
 
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Welcome, Kube.

If I recall correctly, Case uses India stag that's burnt to give it better color and contrast. I've never been particularly impressed with their stag scale matching, quality or hafting; they tend to grind away too much of the bark for my tastes.

If you're interested in some potentially excellent stag scales for a reasonable price, I'd look to GEC first. Their stag is probably as good as you're likely to find on a production knife these days, and their fit 'n' finish is typically better than Case's, too (IMO).

As it happens, my last two 'traditional' knife purchases were both stag; one from GEC, and one from Case. You be the judge:

GECLockback03.jpg

GECLockback04.jpg


CaseDamascusSeahorse01.jpg

CaseDamascusSeahorse03.jpg


In either case, it's important to see what you're getting before hitting the 'add to cart' button. Stag color, figure, thickness and matching are all over the place, and I'd never order a stag-handled knife on-line without first seeing clear photos of both sides, and preferably the profile as well.
 
I think that Rick hit it pretty much on the head. Case doesn't really leave much of the bark on the scales. What is left might as well be called smooth bone scales a lot of the time.

Here is a couple of pics of my GEC #73.

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My pics are not nearly as nice as Rick's but they do show the stag to be superior to that typical of Case.
 
Ok, thanks you guys. I will definitely look into GEC (I've honestly never heard of them). Those scales look beautiful! Yeah the price difference in Case's stag and their bone scales is just crazy IMO. Thanks again.
 
Excellent comparison Rick. I've never cared all that much for Case's stag, but their bone is top notch.
 
I'll concur that Case's stag leaves allot to be desired. These two Sway Back Jacks are great little knives. I do wish the stag was better, being that it's my favorite handle material.

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I think I need to look at the stag GECs.
 
I agree with those above check out GEC. They have awsome stag.
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I wish my pics were of the quality of those above, but you get the idea.
 
I think it is possible that some "India stag" used by some companies today actually comes from some other species, such as European red deer, and is strikingly different from some other examples. I am not naming any names, but I see gross differences in various knives that suggest an entire different genetic pool. Oh... and... umm... I LOVE that backlock gun!
 
tongueriver said:
I think it is possible that some "India stag" used by some companies today actually comes from some other species, such as European red deer, and is strikingly different from some other examples. I am not naming any names, but I see gross differences in various knives that suggest an entire different genetic pool. Oh... and... umm... I LOVE that backlock gun!
Click to expand...

If you're referring to GEC, you're right. They offer burnt, "genuine" and red stag. I suspect that the burnt and genuine varieties are just different grades of the same (India?) stag. The good stuff gets hafted au naturel, while the lower grades are burned to liven 'em up a bit. If anyone knows otherwise, please enlighten us.
 
I've got to say I agree with everyone here band on top of that this is some of Case's better stag being shown. Just to give you an idea.
 
Here are a few. I use to not like stag. But the forums have changed that.

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Bill
 
As much as I like Case, I've never been fond of their current stag offerings.
If you want a Case with stag, I suggest you search around and pick up an older version. Not only was their green and red bone outstanding, th equality of stag from the same era is also better IMHO..

I've never been a big fan of stag in general, but after seeing those GEC's, that may change in the future :D
 
Rick said:
Welcome, Kube.

If I recall correctly, Case uses India stag that's burnt to give it better color and contrast. I've never been particularly impressed with their stag scale matching, quality or hafting; they tend to grind away too much of the bark for my tastes.

If you're interested in some potentially excellent stag scales for a reasonable price, I'd look to GEC first. Their stag is probably as good as you're likely to find on a production knife these days, and their fit 'n' finish is typically better than Case's, too (IMO).

As it happens, my last two 'traditional' knife purchases were both stag; one from GEC, and one from Case. You be the judge:

GECLockback03.jpg

GECLockback04.jpg


In either case, it's important to see what you're getting before hitting the 'add to cart' button. Stag color, figure, thickness and matching are all over the place, and I'd never order a stag-handled knife on-line without first seeing clear photos of both sides, and preferably the profile as well.
Click to expand...


Rick, are the bolsters on your knife normal for that version, or was it a special run ?
I like them. I think it adds a classy touch to a great looking knife
 
Hi Mike. The bolsters are typical of the fancier "Northfield" GECs, which tend to have grooved, slanted or pinched bolsters, along with mirror-polished blades and more pronounced swedges, while the plainer "Tidioute" GECs have unadorned bolsters and satin finished blades with subtle swedges.
 
Another aspect of CASE's approach to stag, is that it doesn't really feel like stag in the hand:grumpy: It may be to do with their source of stag or the way they smooth it down, I don't know, but most of stag knives I've handled FEEL very different from bone. A slight porous texture to it-it is after all more akin to hair than bone:D

I actually prefer their Bonestag 6.5 scales to their stag! Got a Mini Copperlock in stag that seen spine on looks like a snake that's just swallowed a meal:eek:Great bulge in the middle and narrow each end. If you look at one of Wellington's latest pics in the Sheffield Golden age thread you can see some extraordinary gnarled grooved stag that is also thin on the handle, magnificent .But that is from long ago when either stag was better or the cutters were more skilled.

GEC's stag is in all ways superior but CASE bone is often superb.
 
Rick said:
Welcome, Kube.

If I recall correctly, Case uses India stag that's burnt to give it better color and contrast. I've never been particularly impressed with their stag scale matching, quality or hafting; they tend to grind away too much of the bark for my tastes.

If you're interested in some potentially excellent stag scales for a reasonable price, I'd look to GEC first. Their stag is probably as good as you're likely to find on a production knife these days, and their fit 'n' finish is typically better than Case's, too (IMO).

As it happens, my last two 'traditional' knife purchases were both stag; one from GEC, and one from Case. You be the judge:

GECLockback03.jpg



In either case, it's important to see what you're getting before hitting the 'add to cart' button. Stag color, figure, thickness and matching are all over the place, and I'd never order a stag-handled knife on-line without first seeing clear photos of both sides, and preferably the profile as well.
Click to expand...

Looking at this particular Northfield GEC, I had not seen GEC's stag burnt to this color. Makes me wonder if they were trying to do what Herman Williams has been doing to customize Schrade knives for a long time.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=744920&highlight=herman

There are several Herman Williams threads over in the Schrade forum. In any case GEC outdid themselves on that knife. It is gorgeous.
 
Hal, the UN-X-LD you commented on in the picture is GEC's "red stag", I believe burnt and dyed. They also have "burnt stag", which is more yellow-brown, and "genuine stag", which is unburnt, tends to have more subtle coloration and comes without a shield. The red stag is new this year.
 
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