[MR] Antler handled knives

[Cian of Storvik]

Since most raw materials during the middle ages were considered of having value, they almost always appear to have been improved upon by a tradesmen. I'm not aware of any "stag" type handles (sometimes seen with the nob or pedicule of the antler) that you might be thinking of, where all of the outer surface of the horn is left 'au natural' except for removal of the velvet/skin.
There is much evidence of it's use as a handle material for handle blades in Ireland see: The Archaeology of Early Medieval Ireland By Nancy Edwards. Both in scale and cylinder form (tanged socket knives), but the pieces that have been minimally finished I don't believe were attached to a blade, and so may have been in a state of manufacture rather than completed. Even in Ireland the majority of pieces were shaved to a smaller uniform diameter or decorated with simple lines, checks and dots atleast. 
Any blades which are of untreated stag or antler that I am aware of are past the SCA period of interest.
 
Just as a loose rule, It seems that the majority of extent items during the medieval period in Europe had some decoration or workmanship invested in them, no matter how simple or mundanely utlitirarian the use of the item. (of course, this beautification is probably partially responsible for the item living to be extant rather then destroyed). 
 
If anyone has a stag handled knife that dates to within the SCA period, I'd be interested in seeing the source.
-Cian of Storvik (No. Not that Cian)