Hi all!

As most of you know I love stag handles on my Randalls. Recently, I came across an article by editor Steve Shackleford in the December issue of BLADE magazine (page 10). Perhaps many of you have seen it.

Apparently, India's seven year ban on the exportation of Sambar stag was lifted temporarily this year. From March 5 to September 5, great quantities of this highly sought after material was allowed to leave India, much of which was shipped to the United States. American Knifemaking Supplies has purchased 25 tons, :eek: and according to Mr. Shackleford many others have stocked up. This should shore up supplies for awhile.

On the down side however, suppliers Universal Agencies spokes person, Ric Chopra finds the quality of the cut stag to be inferior to the pre-1998 ban stag, although others don't necessarily agree.

My questions for DW are:

-Has RMK been able to build up its stock of stag?

-If so do you notice a difference in the quality of the newer stag?

-Can we count on getting the kind of stag we like on our new Randalls? (A bit tongue in cheek on this one.) :p

Thanks in advance! :101

Cheers!

David

YES!!!

Moosehead,

All is well at RMK, because of GTR's strong business ties, we were able to "almost handpick" the stag to be purchased. Gary really laid down the law as to what sizes we would even accept. However, the ban definitely has not been "lifted" and we're right back where we started as far as unable to attain anymore! Price was more than 6 times what we paid back before the ban. You should have already noticed the better looking stag, just take a look at Rick Bowles latest skinners over at Rhett's forums! By the way a big Thank You to Rhett for helping secure a connection to obtain some of our shipments. Hope this pleases ya'll as much as it does RMK!!

------------DW------------

Moosehead, Thanks for answering a question that I wanted to ask but didn't know how to put into words. And thanks for the answer, DW. That IS good news.
FWIW, I ordered a Bark River knife with some stag from the "new supply" and it looks pretty good, at least to my eyes. Then again, I am mainly a wood guy. ;)

Thanks DW!

That is very good news indeed, at least in the relative short term. :)

Hopefully, the Indian government will figure out a way to eliminate the need for an export embargo. In other words, let the antlers fall where they may (without any human help). ;)

Cheers!

Moosehead

DW,

This is Very Good news! I think that I have a few from the shop coming up in about a year, and I bet that they'll still have some Beautiful Stag left! :101

Rhett, thanks for your help on this also!!

Kent
RKS #109

DW,
Just received a Sasquatch with stag and it was beautiful. Some of the nicest stag that I've seen!

Cliff
RKS #023