Hey,
I've got a question about using stag scales for a full tang knife. How do you all polish the pins? I realized as I thought about it that I usually leave a little bit to grind flush with the wood, but I can't do that with the stag. Should I just cut them to length and polish before I glue them in? Another question: do you ever do any sanding on the surface of the antler? Some knives I've seen look like the high spots on the antler had been knocked off. Thanks!

Josh Blount
www.blountknives.com (http://www.blountknives.com)

I think most people will put the pins in place and carve them to match the stag. Do both sides, remove the pin, polish it up, epoxy it up and put it back (aligning the carvings), clean off the excess epoxy.

I have seen stag that was almost completely sanded down to the pith (I think that is what it is called) with almost no original exterior showing at all. However, I think most people only sand the area next to the guard for a good smooth transition and try to leave the rest as it comes.