Stag handles

[Skeeter Lewis]

I've read elsewhere in Cascity that stag handles on revolvers were rarely seen in the 19th century. It was more of a B movie thing. How far back do stag handles go on Bowies?

[Dave Cole]

Well, since I have seen examples of stag handles on knives a long time prior to the "Bowie" era and the fact that it is a perfect handle material, I assume since the beginning.Dave

[Skeeter Lewis]

That makes sense.

[GunClick Rick]

I read somewhere they would soak the antler in a river for a long time to soften the center pith and then shove the handle end up in it and when it dried it was there for good.

[Delmonico]

and the fact that it is a perfect handle material,

I am one who will disagree with this.  I consider the material fine for fancy belt knives that stay in the belt, or fancy carving sets that stay in the kitchen, but any time I've ever used a knife with an antler handle I've found that when you get blood on the hands they tend to get slippery.  Since knifes that are used often get blood on them I find that I hate them for real use.  A knife that is slippery is a danger to the user.

Don't know if eveyone finds this out with use, but I know I'm not the only one.