A.W. Bradshaw & Sons w/ strange bone handles

[Toejammer]

Got this nifty old knife off the bay today and it's got me scratching my head on a few things. I know A.W. Bradshaw was a importer of knives, and most reference books place it to the late 1800's, but might it be a later owner of the brand name importing in the 1900's ?

And this has the coolest looking bolsters I've ever seen, I love the design of them, kind of art deco ! (which makes me think 1900's also) Secondary was busted, and I was originally going to rebuild it as a single blade, but I'm thinking I might just leave it alone.

But the biggest question is .... whats up with these bone handles ? I've never seen a bone pattern like this. Almost looks like some old prehistoric mammoth bone or something. Anybody got a clue on these ?

[danno50]

Nice knife, Toejammer. I believe the handles are stag, not bone.

[edgy46]

I believe it is called popcorn stag. Hope this helps.

[knife7knut]

I've heard it referred to as,"pressed stag". Supposedly it is stag that has been heated and pressed with a die to form the design.I believe it is naturally occurring stag and is usually found on English made knives in the early 1900's.I have a couple of Wostenholm knives with that pattern of stag on them.
"Popcorn" stag is usually stag that has a very gnarly texture to it. Here are examples of both.

[Toejammer]

I believe it is called popcorn stag. Hope this helps.

I think you've got something there. When I think stag, I automatically think big gnarley sambar. But after looking up popcorn stag, the patterns seem to match up. And if you factor the age of the knife, the fact that it's worn smooth kind of makes sense.

[Toejammer]

I've heard it referred to as,"pressed stag". Supposedly it is stag that has been heated and pressed with a die to form the design.I believe it is naturally occurring stag and is usually found on English made knives in the early 1900's.I have a couple of Wostenholm knives with that pattern of stag on them.
"Popcorn" stag is usually stag that has a very gnarly texture to it. Here are examples of both.

Bingo !! That clears things up, thank you sir.