How to Flatten Stag Scales?

smiling-knife · Post by **smiling-knife** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:32 am

Hi I found some stag scales for tinkering with a few knives. However, most are curved which makes sense given the source. How do I flatten them so I can use them? Soak them and then clamp them flat to dry? Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

s-k

muskrat man · Post by **muskrat man** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:39 pm

the main question here S-K, is which way are they warped, inwards or outwards?

smiling-knife · Post by **smiling-knife** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:53 pm

Hi MM. Sort of 3D. From top to bottom....highest in the middle but not bad on that plane. Most of the curve is from end to end.... only one curves up wards (highest) at the ends most others have curve the other way. If the ends are against the liners the middle would be off. If that makes sense. I can send you pics but not until tomorrow. Thanks s-k

muskrat man · Post by **muskrat man** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:18 pm

depending on how bad they are warped and how much length you can loose, flat sand them from the underside until flat.

orvet · Post by **orvet** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 8:55 pm

I have had some luck in straightening some warped stag.

I soaked it in a 2 to 1 solution of water & white vinegar for 48 hours.
Then I clamped them between two pieces of steel and let them air dry for about a week or two.

They aren't perfect, but they are workable. It takes most of the curl out.

Dale

muskrat man · Post by **muskrat man** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:04 pm

Note to self: Try Dale's super stag straightening system on the two sets of rocking chair rocker popcorn stag in the shop

I'll get to it one of these days

needbucks · Post by **needbucks** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:18 pm

Now wait a minute MM. I hope that big Schrade you are working up for me won't smell like a pickle barrel. Every time I pull the thing out to show everyone how beautiful it looks they'll start slobbering all over it and I'll have to clean it up again.

muskrat man · Post by **muskrat man** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:41 pm

that stag will be flat

it's some smaller stag that will be smelling like a pickle barrel :

orvet · Post by **orvet** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 5:07 am

Actually, my son said "they probably smell like vinegar." Then he smelled them & said, "Huh, I don't smell the vinegar at all."

For some reason it doesn't seem to make it smell. Probably because white vinegar isn't too strong.

Dale