Do stag handles change with age?

Camillus

Camillus

Joined
Jun 3, 2015
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I got my first genuine stag handled GEC recently, a #73 from this year's run. I really like feel of the handles and assume that they will smooth out and generally wear in with time in the pocket. Is this right - does old pocketworn stag look different than new?
 
Welcome to the forum.

Absolutely. One of the fastest changing knife handles imo when used. I haven't carried my 77 in a while. I may just have to pocket it today.

A good recent example that I have seen is Ryan's (556hunter) 73 in stag. Maybe he'll drop in.

New


Current



Maybe a few others will show new and current contrast photos ;)
 
Yes! Most definitely!

Stag is one of the nicest handles for change over time. With lots of use and handling, it gets a beautiful mellow yellow of the material. Almost a buttery color and it smooths out so it's very habit forming to use as a pocket worry stone. It will shrink some over the years, but we're talking a half century or more there.

This knife was made in later 1943 or early 1944 on the Moran farm in Maryland. It was carried and used until the 1980's by it's owner. The crown stag was split down the middle and the blade was forged to fit the knife shape. Over the past 72 years the stag has shrunk away from the steel liners, but not bad. No cracks or splits in the material. Stag is great durable and beautiful stuff!

15959998118_188b343966_z.jpg
 
Hi there yall:)

Brand new:


After a few months of constant carry:


The stag is quite a bit smoother and shinier than the pic shows. It's really aging quite nicely in my opinion :):)

Great looking stag everyone! I hope to see some really great pics of some old worn stag👍🏻
 
556hunter said:
Great looking stag everyone! I hope to see some really great pics of some old worn stag👍🏻
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I picked up this old Wostenholm at a flea market several years ago. I'm pretty sure it's Stag but I wouldn't swear by it. My records state that it was manufactured between 1850-1890 but I wouldn't swear by that either.





 
Holy smokes, that knife has seen some serious wear, carry, and pocket time!!!
VERY cool👍🏻👍🏻
 
Railsplitter said:
I picked up this old Wostenholm at a flea market several years ago. I'm pretty sure it's Stag but I wouldn't swear by it. My records state that it was manufactured between 1850-1890 but I wouldn't swear by that either.





Click to expand...

That Stag is a great testament as to why to buy Stag. That knife has been used but taken care of and the Stag still looks great. Thanks for the great pictures Rick.

Harry
 
Yes, they do change. With time, they'll get buttery and smooth out a bit. Part of the change is also the dark/blackish stuff gets rubbed off which also lightens the color a bit. Here are my 2 most carried stag knives. The first is my #33 Conductor that I've carried more often than not since I received it in 2013. The group pic was taken a few weeks ago.



Here's my #48 Jack that also shows some change. The first pic is when received new, also in 2013. The group pic is a couple of months old.

 
I have a conductor whittler in stag that has undergone an interesting transition, if anyone has an explanation I would be interested. I don't mind it, interesting character, and I think it will keep on changing (I knew I shouldn't have stabbed that radioactive spider):

New


recent, GEC's 'nitebrite radioactive glow stag':
 
jhany said:
Do just the natural stag handles change, or do burnt stag as well?
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All stag will change. Ryan's (556hunter) is natural. I cant remember what is on the 77 bf knife I posted.
 
This Fight'n Rooster has seen a lot of pocket time, and not all mine. It shows very well that "mellow yellow" condition that pocket worn stag gets. The dark parts get lighter, the light parts get darker, and they all get smoother. A very nice transition.

StagEurekaRoosterComp_zpsjywbqi0h.jpg~original


StagEurekaRoosterOpen_zpsyit6vjt8.jpg~original
 
fatcorgi said:
I have a conductor whittler in stag that has undergone an interesting transition, if anyone has an explanation I would be interested. I don't mind it, interesting character, and I think it will keep on changing (I knew I shouldn't have stabbed that radioactive spider):

New


recent, GEC's 'nitebrite radioactive glow stag':
Click to expand...

Fine knife! Looks like the brass liners are reacting with the stag giving a verdigris (brass bleed) stain. Seen this on a couple of my GECs too, won't happen with iron, stainless or NS liners though. On the other hand if you've visited Chernobyl or Fukushima with the knife then best get the Geiger counter out.....:eek:

Stag morphs a lot and generally in a very pleasing way, the more carry you give it the better it looks. Can't say that about a lot of things...:D
 
Simple answer - Yes.

Long winded answer. Sambar and Red deer antler is more solid, in cross section, than other cervids but still 'shrinks' as it dries. This is just the way it is. Over time antler that has hand oil, blade oil or shining wax on it will color and likely shrink less. But it will absorb the liquid material and that liquid will change the antler color. Some antler is dyed to enhance the presentation of the scales. In the world of North American deer the most solid antler is elk, then mule deer and then whitetail. The cross-sections will be more open down the list and the dense outside core area will be thinner. In the end, if you want white stag then be careful with oils and waxes.

I tried to do a quick net search to see if I could find any 'researched' info on this but only came up with a ultra scientific paper on the "Compression of deer antler structure". Here it is if you want to read science stuff, I only scanned.

300Bucks

http://bruker-microct.com/company/UM2012/28.pdf
 
Here is my favorite stag beauty when she was new:

IMG_3673_zpsaf370f03.jpg


Here she is after about 3 years of pocket carry and regular use:

IMG_0470_zps3ggerjaq.jpg


There is no other handle material I know of that ages so gracefully and becomes more beautiful over time. Stag is the best.
 
Will Power said:
Fine knife! Looks like the brass liners are reacting with the stag giving a verdigris (brass bleed) stain. Seen this on a couple of my GECs too, won't happen with iron, stainless or NS liners though. On the other hand if you've visited Chernobyl or Fukushima with the knife then best get the Geiger counter out.....:eek:

Stag morphs a lot and generally in a very pleasing way, the more carry you give it the better it looks. Can't say that about a lot of things...:D
Click to expand...

thanks, yes I should have thought of that. the pins are themselves somewhat green.
 
fatcorgi said:
I have a conductor whittler in stag that has undergone an interesting transition, if anyone has an explanation I would be interested. I don't mind it, interesting character, and I think it will keep on changing (I knew I shouldn't have stabbed that radioactive spider):
Click to expand...

Are you sure that isn't just indigo blue denim dye?
 
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