Okay, I'm getting ready to order some stag for one of my next knives. I've never used any antler, bone or horn, with the exception of one piece of buffalo horn. First, is the stag antler pretty durable? My customer is a collector who likes to use his knives pretty hard, and I don't want it coming apart on him. I saw somewhere that someone was offering stabilized antler - is that a necessary improvement, or is it overkill? Also, how do you finish it? I think I saw somebody recommended a buff, but I can't remember what compound they used. Any tips before I order the stuff would be appreciated.

Josh Blount

Josh, stabilization is not necessary. I don't know whether you are making a full-tang or a stick-tang knife, but that will have a bearing on how you handle it. Some good advice can be found at www.engnath.com/public/intable.htm. (http://www.engnath.com/public/intable.htm.)

If your knife is full tang, just remember to take the material off the inside of the stag to bring it down to the finished dimension before attaching the scales. Otherwise, you will be grinding off everything that makes the stag attractive in the process of finishing the handle.

Light buffing is an option, but a light coat of paste wax is usually enough.

How do you color stag with tea? Do you pour hot tea on the antler? Do you wait for the tea to be called? Do you leave the antler in the tea, what, overnight?

Thanks,

JD

I've never colored stag with tea, so maybe someone else can help out here. Potassium permanganate and leather dye are a couple more options.

Stag usually does not have to be coloured but if you do be careful not to stain the ends that you would like to remain white. Do all staining before you start to shape the stag.

first...when cutting antler..DO IT OUTSIDE! wear a
doctors face mask...and safety glasses...im not being
overly cautious..i just dont know what saw your going to
use...as for the outside part..cutting antler is the most
disgustin smell you could imagine...trust me..it stinks!
now...i use my wet-lapidary saws to cut it indoors and
its no prob at all...its the strongest stuff you could imagine,
not sure how your going to attach it to the knife..but
it takes most all methods verrry well....and always use
epoxy, if hollow tang..fill it with epoxy sawdust combo
if just scales..smear epoxy and clamp,devcon 2 ton is good... wen dry then pin..
as for final polish..lightly buff on wheel with ZAM..
just to make it comfortable..dont remove too much..
and after polishing..scrub the knife with dawn soap and
soft bristled scrubrush and hot water..towel dry..nice job...