I’ve been searching this forum and the web for recommendations for dealing finishing stag scales. I have the scales shaped and pinned, but I have not assembled the knife yet. There are many opinions on this ranging from simple wax only to commercial wood coatings to ca glue coating to vacuum stabilizing.
I’m a rookie at this so I thought I’d ask you guys what you recommend.
Froe
Finishing stag
- Bill DeShivs
- Silver Tier

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Re: Finishing stag
Here is how I color and finish stag:
Color by using a medium Sharpie or similar in the deep grooves.
Then use potassium permanganate solution to dye the stag brown (if necessary.) This can take multiple applications.
When dry, spray with clear Krylon spray to seal the lower, darker portions. Then grind, file, sand, and polish as necessary.
A coat of paste wax or neutral shoe polish will finish it.
If your stag is satisfactorily colored as is, simply polish and wax it.
Color by using a medium Sharpie or similar in the deep grooves.
Then use potassium permanganate solution to dye the stag brown (if necessary.) This can take multiple applications.
When dry, spray with clear Krylon spray to seal the lower, darker portions. Then grind, file, sand, and polish as necessary.
A coat of paste wax or neutral shoe polish will finish it.
If your stag is satisfactorily colored as is, simply polish and wax it.
Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler
Factory authorized repair for:
Latama
Mauro Mario
LePre
Colonial
KABAR
Hubertus, Grafrath, Ritter
Schrade Cut. Co., Geo Schrade, Pressbutton, Flylock
Falcon/AKC/AGA Campolin
Puma
Burrell Cutlery
Factory authorized repair for:
Latama
Mauro Mario
LePre
Colonial
KABAR
Hubertus, Grafrath, Ritter
Schrade Cut. Co., Geo Schrade, Pressbutton, Flylock
Falcon/AKC/AGA Campolin
Puma
Burrell Cutlery
-
Froe
- Posts: 637
- Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2017 3:31 am
- Location: Independence KY
Re: Finishing stag
That’s pretty straightforward. Thank you very much Bill.Bill DeShivs wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 9:21 pm Here is how I color and finish stag:
Color by using a medium Sharpie or similar in the deep grooves.
Then use potassium permanganate solution to dye the stag brown (if necessary.) This can take multiple applications.
When dry, spray with clear Krylon spray to seal the lower, darker portions. Then grind, file, sand, and polish as necessary.
A coat of paste wax or neutral shoe polish will finish it.
If your stag is satisfactorily colored as is, simply polish and wax it.
Froe