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Finishing stag
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2026 4:07 pm
by Froe
I’ve been searching this forum and the web for recommendations for dealing finishing stag scales. I have the scales shaped and pinned, but I have not assembled the knife yet. There are many opinions on this ranging from simple wax only to commercial wood coatings to ca glue coating to vacuum stabilizing.
I’m a rookie at this so I thought I’d ask you guys what you recommend.
Froe
Re: Finishing stag
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2026 9:21 pm
by Bill DeShivs
Here is how I color and finish stag:
Color by using a medium Sharpie or similar in the deep grooves.
Then use potassium permanganate solution to dye the stag brown (if necessary.) This can take multiple applications.
When dry, spray with clear Krylon spray to seal the lower, darker portions. Then grind, file, sand, and polish as necessary.
A coat of paste wax or neutral shoe polish will finish it.
If your stag is satisfactorily colored as is, simply polish and wax it.
Re: Finishing stag
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2026 10:07 pm
by Froe
Bill DeShivs wrote: ↑Mon Feb 23, 2026 9:21 pm
Here is how I color and finish stag:
Color by using a medium Sharpie or similar in the deep grooves.
Then use potassium permanganate solution to dye the stag brown (if necessary.) This can take multiple applications.
When dry, spray with clear Krylon spray to seal the lower, darker portions. Then grind, file, sand, and polish as necessary.
A coat of paste wax or neutral shoe polish will finish it.
If your stag is satisfactorily colored as is, simply polish and wax it.
That’s pretty straightforward. Thank you very much Bill.