Vintage Gnarly Stag Handles

[Miller Bro's]

Most of the early stag handles on knives from Europe and the U.S. had some of the nicest gnarly stag you will ever see. I have several of these, most you tend to find on Rope Knives, Pruning Knives and the like. Ulster used some nice stag on their early knives.

In case you don`t know the difference between Stag and Jigged bone, Stag is the outside of a natural deer antler, Jigged bone is man made to resemble natural stag.

Let`s see what you have for Stag handle knives.

Here are a few to get started

[knifegirl888]

Good ones, MB.

I especially like the last Wostenholm. Here are a few big lockbacks to add to this thread.

[Miller Bro's]

^That`s what I`m talking about

Here is Willie`s favorite Rope knife

[tjmurphy]

Here are a couple that I have. Don't know how old, but still nice stag. Both Anton Wingen, Jr. Othello.

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[Miller Bro's]

Couple a good lookers there Tom

[tjmurphy]

Thanks Dimitri. Not nearly as old or as gnarley as the others shown, but you got to go with what you got. Those old horti. knives have some really nice handles. One of these days I'll find me one.

KG - I really like those single blade lockers, especially the one with the fancy bolsters, John Holler?

[Aimus Moses]

Good ones, MB.

I especially like the last Wostenholm. Here are a few big lockbacks to add to this thread.

Good lookers everyone but that last one you posted knifegirl, that John Holler, I'd Holler if I owned it.

Aimus

[knifegirl888]

Thanks Dimitri. Not nearly as old or as gnarley as the others shown, but you got to go with what you got. Those old horti. knives have some really nice handles. One of these days I'll find me one.

KG - I really like those single blade lockers, especially the one with the fancy bolsters, John Holler?

Thanks for the kind compliments!

John Holler-the Tower Brand was imported by Adolph Blaich of San Francisco. LG4 states made in Ger/England c1867-1906. It doesn't have a country of origin stamped anywhere. My feelings would lead me to believe it would be of German construction?

[Miller Bro's]

Kathy,

What is stamped on the blade face of the J. Holler?

I see some letters.

[knife7knut]

Back & front views of 5 knives

I*XL
I*XL
E.M.Dickinson
I*XL
W.Congreve.

[Miller Bro's]

Ray,

Those are awesome!

That little Congreaves at the bottom is a high end knife for sure. The rosettes around the pins and the filework on the front bolster, and of course the stag handles, it all makes for a classy old knife

Keep `em coming

[tjmurphy]

WOW! Those are some really gnarley knives Dude

[Miller Bro's]

Here is another Navy Rope knife.............

[knifegirl888]

Kathy,

What is stamped on the blade face of the J. Holler?

I see some letters.

I believe that The Tower Brand & the logo is on the blade. Most of it is gone. Here are some more scans, just double click to enlarge. I also included a scan of the back of the Peres.

[singin46]

These are all great to see guys! Keepem comin please

[smiling-knife]

Beautiful stag everyone. This is a Harrison Bros & Howson. One of my favourites. s-k

[Owd Wullie]

Beat up old horseman's knife by Taylor EYEWITNESS horseman's knife. Got it off the 'bay for 20 bucks and change with shipping this week.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT



One broken blade, both have EYEWITNESS stamps




No country of origin, pre 1891 or possibly never intended for export?

Had a rough life it appears.






The tweezers were rusted in but came loose with a bit of persuasion. The punch blade and cork screw were stuck. Soaked it overnight with "QUICK RELEASE" and it loosened up nicely. Oiled what left of the stag with mineral oil after getting rid of most all the active rust it was wearing. Gonna leave it as is.

[Miller Bro's]

It`s pre 1891

Very good looking knife, I would leave it just like it is, an old warrior

[orvet]

It seems to me that older stag had a different look to it than the stag we get today.
Three of four years ago I got some stag that had come from the Henckels factory. As many of you know, Henckels stopped making their own knives in 1960. So this stag was most likely harvested in the 1950s.

The first thing I noticed is that the stag is cut differently than the stag we get today. The stag slabs are much thinner than the slabs you buy today. Secondly the stag has a different look to it. Even the coloration is different. Perhaps the stag came from a different species of stag.

I have a few sets of these Henckels handles left. If anyone is interested I can scan some of the sets, but for now here are a few knives I have rehandled with the Henckels stag. I am not sure if this is what Dimitri had in mind when he started this thread, but I think you will agree it does look differently from most stag you see today.

[tjmurphy]

Here's an F.W. Jordan that I had forgotten about.

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[Knife Nut]

Beautiful work on the re-handled knives there, Dale.
I do agree that older stag is different than todays stag.

Paul

[jerryd6818]

I think it's age and use, Dale. Give those two of yours 100 years of pocket wear and use and I believe the white would yellow up, the knobs would get that wonderful worn look to them and they would look very similar to the ones Dimitri posted. Just an opinion.

[knife7knut]

Stag scales have always fascinated me as being not only the most unique and beautiful but as a very practical material.All but the smoothest of stag offer a great grip whether wet or dry.The newer synthetics may offer a better grip but I just don't like that "sticky"feeling they impart when used wet or in hot weather.

Here are some more examples.Hope no one minds the fixed blades I've included;most all are pre-1900.

First is the 1st stag scaled knife I ever bought:a Saynor pruner marked,"W.Drummond & Sons Obtain Warranted".The stag has some small cracks and is worn perfectly smooth from use.The back spring is unusual in that it wraps around the end(an indication of forging)rather than being machined or stamped out of a solid piece)and it has one pieces liners/bolsters.

Next is a nice little whittler by Vom Cleff & Sons.Beautifully fitted and matched stag.Too bad the master blade tip is broken.

Next is a fixed blade dagger stamped,"Cogswell & Harrison Gunsmiths London" with a tremendous piece of gnarly stag.They primarily made(and still do)high end sporting arms.This may have been made as a companion piece to a firearm.

Next is a small(5" blade approx.)hunting knife marked,"Cromwell Criterion Cutlery" .Note that the stag isn't very well matched.

Lastly is one of my best knives:A Joseph Rodgers & Sons 9" blade spearpoint Bowie that came with it's original sheath.The stag is beautifully matched and has no cracks.Scored this one in an antique shop quite by accident(long story)for $225 about 7 years ago.A friend of mine who collects bowies offered me $1200 for it.

[Miller Bro's]

Nice looking Stag everyone

Fixed blades welcome too!

Ray, that Rodgers bowie is awesome

[Iron Hoarder]

Here ya go!