Making Stag grips...

[jonathon]

Just curious, how hard is it to make stag grips? Whats "the perfect" bit of horn?

I'm looking at my Super Blackhawk.. and the walnut ones I cut just arn't doin' it for me anymore...

[Trapp]

Try a large elk......If you make a practise pair go ahead and send 'em my way. I wont mind.

[Dfariswheel]

The real problem is getting the raw material.
Most of the stag was coming from India, and they have drastically reduced supply to prevent depleting the supply.

Some pros are using elk and whatever else they can find.

Some of the bigger knifemaker's supply houses stock some various raw materials big enough for pistol grips.

You work stag about the same way as bone, and bone makes both good practice material, AND good looking grips.

Seasoned cow bone works well.

You work it with jewelers saws and medium-cut files.
You have to watch power tools since you can cause cracks or over-heating.

Also, use a respirator or filter mask.

[jonathon]

thanks Dfaris

I'll try that.. I got several large cow bones layin around here.

[Shorts]

Large cow bones, now that is a neat idea. Chester (our dog) has several big shanks he doesn't chew on as much because they are too thick and boring for him.

Question, what would make that better material? Raw, dried bone. Or Boiled dry bone?

The bones here we boil and that shank is smooth and tough.

[jonathon]

My dog drags them home from the neighbors.. and I stash them under the house to dry out(after they slaughter a cow, they give the bones to their dog)

made some interesting stuff from them before(decorative mainly), never thought about it for grips till now.

//EDIT

I should think dried and bleached is the best way to handle the bones...