Stag Problem

[WelderBob]

While helping a friend sort through knives we came across this GEC. I've never seen anything like this, knife has been in tube and stored in a constant temperature. What was left of the stag in that area was crumbly and dry. Could there have been a reaction between stag and brass or was the stag not dried out.
Would like to hear opinions on this one, got me stumped.

Edit: Knife was made in 2009

[Sharpnshinyknives]

That is a mystery Bob. I have seen knives with stag that was just a little too short for the liners on the sides peeking out uncovered, or one with a natural indentation that exposed liner but never seen any with dried and crumbling stag. It looks like a lot of verdigris in that area. Oh how I wish the knife world would stop using brass anything on knives. Brass takes a toll. I’ve seen a lot of Queen gunstock jacks from the 80’s and 70’s with green all around the pins and liners leaching into the stag. Wouldn’t surprise me if this is related to the brass liners some how.

[Ridgegrass]

Yeah. too bad about that. They should stand by it. I don't have any GEC's but I know they're pricey.
Just from the pics it appears that maybe that dark area got worked too close to the "spongy" layer of the stag and the last part of the hard outer layer just let go. I see hunting knives where the spongy layer is stabilized with maybe an epoxy-like compound to keep that from happening. Like to see a pic of the entire scales on both sides. Also hope you post what the outcome is. Good luck. J.O'.

[Mumbleypeg]

Send it back to GEC for repair.

Ken

[Gunsil]

That is a mystery Bob. I have seen knives with stag that was just a little too short for the liners on the sides peeking out uncovered, or one with a natural indentation that exposed liner but never seen any with dried and crumbling stag. It looks like a lot of verdigris in that area. Oh how I wish the knife world would stop using brass anything on knives. Brass takes a toll. I’ve seen a lot of Queen gunstock jacks from the 80’s and 70’s with green all around the pins and liners leaching into the stag. Wouldn’t surprise me if this is related to the brass liners some how.

I have plenty of stag handled knives that are 90-100+ years old with brass or nickel silver (white brass) liners with no problems from the brass or stag. I have seen that knives that get oiled too often or much are subject to the green around pins and liners.

[ea42]

Looks like some of the pyth was exposed and crumbled apart. Don't usually see it dissolve like that. Maybe oil? I never put oil on stag, worst thing for it. It soaks right in and softens it up, then stays there. Even worse if there are detergents or other foreign matter in the oil.

Eric

[WelderBob]

Thank's for the replys, its just in one area but may be spreading along the handle on one side. May have been some pith left on that one. Ren wax is the only thing I'll use, no mineral oil. Will talk to GEC and see if they can fix it.

[Ridgegrass]

Thanks Bob. I wanted to see those pics to see how far down they worked the stag. It's my opinion if they use material from further out in the rack the pith, (spongy layer) may be to close, especially if the antler was quarter slabbed already. I'm getting ready to re-handle some pieces in stag and I want to avoid wasting material. I'm a rank rookie. J.O'.

[WelderBob]

Contacted GEC and sent some pictures, their reply was they do not warranty natural materials.
They offered to clean and soak to try slowing it down, for 15.00. They won't say what that will accomplish.
Well this is not the outcome I'd hoped for and I'm not real happy, so now I've got another EDC...

[Ridgegrass]

That's awful. I hope anybody considering one of their "luxury knives" will read that. That's just plain arrogant. I'd post it on every knife site around. Way to stand behind your product. J.O'.

[herbva]

I am totally shocked that an outfit like GEC wouldn't take responsibility for their defective product. But, I guess that's their business and they don't care about their reputation. At this point, if it was my knife I would clean out as much of the unstable material and green stuff as possible (use a sharp pointed pick or something similar), make sure you get the exposed outside part of the brass liner as clean and shiny as possible, treat the open area with thin or medium Zap-A-Gap, and after it has cured, fill the remaining open gap with matching epoxy and, after it is totally cured, sand it down flush and put on a coat of whatever wax you like to use. Just the approach I would take.

[Reverand]

I agree with Herb about filling the gap. It should look perfect afterward, and make you feel much better about the knife. I am surprised that GEC would not repair it. I believe that they are a good company, but I consider this to have been a bad decision. And one bad decision does not turn me against a company.

[WelderBob]

Pleased don't think I'm bashing GEC, I've bought their knives since 2007 and have more than one. I thought they would be a bit more helpful and friendly in fixing the problem. I have lost some respect for them, anyway time to move on.
Herb I like your idea, thats something I could handle, I do have a nice pair of stag scales that would look super on this knife.
I lack the skills to do it but there are some craftsman that can, so we will see. I'll post pics when fixed.

[glennbad]

I am not sure how to feel about this. One one hand, I agree with GEC that Natural materials often have a life of their own, but on the other, the current state of that stag isn't what I would expect from GEC, and they usually stand behind their products better than that.

I'm also surprised that they are not more responsive in regards to this particular knife.

[Ivoryman]

Big bummer. I have sent a couple knives back to GEC and they fixed them for free. Didn't have this kind of stag problem, but I would think they would offer to rehandle it for you at least. I'm surprised at that but the bigger they get, the harder it will be to take care of everything on every knife I guess. Sorry to hear about that. And although I don't know what your take on keeping "original stag" is or isn't, not my business, just a thought here, but what came to mind immediately given the problem with this stag and the comment from Glennbad is that I would say try to get him or one of the other fine knife mechanics on here to throw you some new stag covers on that baby and then you'll have the best of both worlds. He did these for me and it's better work and better antlers than any factory stuff I see from any maker. The top pic and the one below are of a knife GEC made for Waynorth Cutlery. Came with Ebony wood covers and while they were fine, they were not super fine like these antlers that Glen put on them are IMHO. I highly recommend. 2 cents, YRMV.

[WelderBob]

Ivoryman those are some pretty handles, very nice work. I've kept this pair for years looking for a home...believe I found one !

[Ivoryman]

Ivoryman those are some pretty handles, very nice work. I've kept this pair for years looking for a home...believe I found one !

Beautiful pieces, will complete a fabulous knife.

[Thomasg]

Contacted GEC and sent some pictures, their reply was they do not warranty natural materials.
They offered to clean and soak to try slowing it down, for 15.00. They won't say what that will accomplish.
Well this is not the outcome I'd hoped for and I'm not real happy, so now I've got another EDC...

If they don’t want to warrant natural materials then perhaps they should not use natural materials. You would think they would want the knife back for study to see if the problem could be solved to prevent Slip shod knifes from being sold to customers..

[Quick Steel]

I am disappointed in the response, or rather the lack of response by GEC. Perhaps using a paper insert in their packaging they could inform the buyer that their warranty does not apply to natural materials. Given the substantial amount of natural materials utilized in many knives, I suspect GEC would be embarrassed to acknowledge this caveat up front, as it should be.

[Quick Steel]

I am disappointed in the response, or rather the lack of response by GEC. Perhaps using a paper insert in their packaging they could inform the buyer that their warranty does not apply to natural materials. Given the substantial amount of natural materials utilized in many knives, I suspect GEC would be embarrassed to acknowledge this caveat up front, as it should be.

[Railsplitter]

The warranty disclaimer on the GEC website states that they do not warrant natural materials after the knife has been used.

According to the original post, this knife appears to have never been used. I have to wonder if they even asked if the knife has been used or just made a blanket statement that they don’t warrant natural materials.

[WelderBob]

Their warranty states they stand behind materials and workmanship, then they say no warranty on natural materials if the knife has been used and abused. As pointed out knife is new and has never been used, abit of double talk..JMO

The only purpose for this post was to try and determine what caused it and possible fix's, information that evevyone could use.
I do believe they have run across this before, why they don't want to share...well I'll stop here before BP goes up.

I'll end with saying I like the knives, just disappointed with the management.