The truth about deer horn, antler, and stag horn???

B

Bruce Jensky

Joined
Jan 29, 1999
Messages
48
I’m looking for a little truth about the use of deer horn, antler, or stag horn. I’ve been making knives for less than a year now and only part time as the “defense of the free world” takes most of my spare time (I’m in the Air Force…) and have yet to use the above material for handle scales.

I talked to several other knife makers and it seems as if there is some trade secret about getting the fine figure and color I see in their handles. I suggested that they might have used a moto-tool and some stain or coloring to enhance the figure and color of the horn and you would have thought I was suggesting they were putting their names on kit knives…

I have read much on the subject but have yet to stumble on to any article suggesting the use of any enhancements to the horn. It would appear to be “au naturel…”

Is anyone out there willing to share their secrets to enhancing horn or antlers? That also go for installing. I know some of the dealers handle horn that has been cut, flattened, and stabilized.

Thanks in advance.

Bruce Jensky

PS: As a follow up, I tried another search of past Q&A and found a oldie, but goodie (http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/000802.html)

There were other messages, but this one gave the most info but never went in reprofiling the surface. I'm gonna try that "tea and lemon" and if it doesn't work, I'll drink it, that horn make a lot of dust...


[This message has been edited by Bruce Jensky (edited 19 September 1999).]
 
Bruce I use a lot of stag and do not treat or stain it at all but then I am selective when I buy it at shows and use only one supplier for mail order who knows what I am looking for. I use Sambar Stag from India mainly because the outer shell of the antler is thicker than the whitetail antler found around here and the shell is also a bright white instead of the pinkish tan of the whitetail antler. During installation I sand off the rough bits to expose the white shell and buff the outside to give it some gloss without losing the natural brown outside colour.

Some people working with shed whitetail antlers use the tea and lemon or even potassium permanganate treatments to colour up bleached out antler before working with it. I am told that coffee also works.

I have never run across anyone who reprofiles the surface of antler to add texture. My problem is usually too much texture that has to be smoothed out.
------------------
george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com



[This message has been edited by george tichbourne (edited 19 September 1999).]
 
I live in the Houston area and I am able to pick and choose what (sambar) stag I use since Texas Knifemaker's Supply is here in town.

From what I have found, there are basically three varieties or colours as you will, of sambar stag. There is white, a rootbeer colour and agate. I particularly am partial to white and agate. The agate is different colours in layers. The colour I am referring to is not on the outside but throughout the material.

I have used axis deer horn with success, it is nice looking. It is from india as well, I believe. The native whitetail or mule deer horns do not have deep enough ridges (or character) for my liking. Elk horn is extremely porous and very, very thin.

I have never used a dye of any sort except on bone. On this I used an analine dye that I found at a leather or saddle shop. I have seen very inexpensive knives where bone has been jigged then scorched with a torch to imitate stag. On deer horn (antler) I have always liked the natural look mother nature provides.

C Wilkins
 
Bruce I'm new to knifemaking also and have just finished 2 knives with Elk horn.If you're interisted e-mail me and I'Ll send you a pic and tell you what worked for me.
tosmith@prodigy.net
 
George, C.L.,

Judging from the information both of you sent, that might help explain the “cross-eyed” looks I received from these other knife makers. If they were using other than white tail or mule deer antler, one would think they would be quick to point that out.

Now that I have had a chance to really think about my question and in light of that question, review my magazines and “digests”, I’ve noticed more and more references to sambar stag scales.

Your quick responses and candor without ridicule makes the Blade Forums so valuable to us. I’ll use the “native” antler for practice since it’s without color and has very little texture and look for some sambar antler.

Once again, thanks for your quick response.

Bruce
 
Bruce:

There is really not too much of a secret to India Stag.

Makers like Stag for its individual characteristics. Each piece is as individual as your finger print.

Not too many materials in the world are like that.

To alter it is not uncommon, just not very common. For instance, many people will take Stag Rolls (click here for Stag Rolls http://www.uai.org/stagrolls.html)
and grind the entire surface off. The look that they are trying to obtain is that of an ivory color handle, but in fact that it is from India Stag & a lot cheaper.

The same can be done with Stag Scales, Stag Tapers etc.

As George mentioned you can dye Stag with Potassium Permanganate. It is the greatest stuff to dye Stag with. We have been using it for over 50 years.

As for anyone interested in purchasing India Stag, India Water Buffalo Horn, Mother of Pearl, Damascus & more check out www.knifesupplies.com & www.uai.org

We are the manufactures, of these commodities have the biggest selection and very competitive prices.

If you have any questions, feel free to write me directly at rcchopra@uai.org.

Hope this helps.

Ric
 
Magnum...

Not only is India Stag more durable that White Tale Stag, it is THE most durable of all Stags!

It is a mystery as to why it has a less marrow content, the color doesn't change (unlike white tail stag) and the density is a lot higher. Overall, a better prodcut to use.

Ric
www.knifesupplies.com
 
Bruce if you want to use native species you can. I have one model which I use whitetail crowns on instead of the sambar crowns because the whitetail is more dramatic, meaning rougher. You can see it on my web site on the Bowie page. The trick is to scrape out all of the soft inner core and fill the void with epoxy before starting to mount the handle. This gives the crown more stability.

------------------
george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com

 
Anybody have experience stabilizing/dyeing stag, of the domestic or import variety? I'm wondering if vacuum/pressure stabilizing can overcome the tendancy of domestic stag to shrink with humidity and if dyeing can simulate the color of honey gold stag. Info on stabilant and color agents appreciated.

James
 
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