I just got Blade today and they had an ad in there saying they have stockpiled Sambar and are going to start selling it. has anyone checked into this yet. I called, but all they would do is send me some info in the mail.

Alright, this might seem like a dumb question to some of you out there.

What is so special about Sambar stag?

I mean, in the USA and Canada you folks probably shoot more deer than half the rest of the world! Surely those antlers are good and I have seen some knives advertised with 'local' materials. I know some people use red deer antler over here in England, especially for authentic stuff in re-enactment societies.

Roger

Other than size and durability, the biggest issue is really local (state) laws prohibiting the use of certain animal parts.

I got the info sheet a few days ago. I ordered a few slab pairs to see how the quality is. The prices seem pretty good though:

*Stag Rollers (3"long x 3/4" dia.) $6.00/ea
*Stag Rollers (3"long x 1-1/4" dia.) $7.50/ea
*Stag Rollers (5-1/2"long x 1-1/8" dia.) $19.50/ea
*Stag Tips (6" long) $6.00/ea
*Stag Crown (5-1/2" long x 1+" dia.) $21.00/ea
*Stag Slabs (various lengths, 3/4" - 1" width) $5.00 - $9.00/pr

They also have Ivory and Pearl.

888-289-4747

Roger,your question is not dumb.The difference mostly is the thickness of the bark or outside layer.Most deer, especially the ones down here in Florida have thin bark which means any sanding and you are into the soft part which ruins the knife.Northern deer such as whitetail and mule deer have a little thicker bark,but not as thick as sambar or axis deer.Also,I don't know of anybody selling U.S.A. antlers commercially,except elk or moose.Dave

Got the stag today. It is pretty thin, so it won't be good for anything but a smaller knife. My final recommendation is don't get any unless you are making a smaller knife or folder. Matching is so-so. I will throw a set on a knife and see how it turns out.

Back to wood and micarta for me.