Hey guys, I've got a couple stag handle knives.. one is buffalo horn and the other Elk I think.  Anyway, I've noticed after cleaning several deer and washing them up with soap and hot water, that they feel... dry.  And the older one is starting to dull in color.   Some website suggest rubbing it down or even soaking the handle in mineral oil?   Anyone suggestions?

use veggie oil works a treat  

I also use Butchers wax with great results. Smells like turpentine for a day or so though!

Mineral oil is recommend by knife collectors and makers. It rehydrates and helps it not to shrink. You could also ask this in the knives and craftes forum here on TG.

Chris

I use Formby's Lemon Oil Treatment.  Work's great, recommended by many knife guys.
-Mark

Thanks for the info guys

If you use the knife enough your hand oil will keep the stag handle nice. I have a deer antler handled knife that a friend made for me in 1979 or so that is still in good shape and it has been used a lot in those 30+ years.

There is stag and there's stag. It's just like wood - some is fairly dense and some quite porous. Back when I could pick up decent Sambar stag at any knife show I bought quite a bit of it and still have some of it left. There is a wide range of porosity in what I have left.

I have my German wife's grandfather's Puma with a red stag handle that is probably 70 - 80 years old (or older) and there is no sign of cracking or drying and it hasn't been handled or treated in 40 years or more.

If the stag is one of the more porous pieces, I'd rub in a bit of mineral oil and then wipe off the excess after a few days. Just don't do it immediately before you plan to carry it as it will be a bit slick then.

mineral oil/butcher block oil.