Adding Color to Stabalized Antler - before or after? what method?

[Tobyw79]

I have several pieces of elk antler I am planning on using for knife scales. They sat in West Texas in a shed for several years (friend of mine has an elk farm) so they should be nice and dry. I am going to have them stabalized but want to add some color as they are about as white as they can be.

My questions is do I add color before or after stabilization and what method should I use. I am wanting more of a natural brown color. Should I use a torch, wood stain or potassium permanagnate?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I would talk to the stabilizer.

Potassium Permanganate is the normal chemical used, but that is on unstabilized antler. Wood and leather dyes are also common, and may be more suitable for stabilizing. I think it would need the dying done first, but as I said, Talk to the stabilizer first.

 

[Burl Source]

I would talk to the stabilizer.
I think it would need the dying done first, but as I said, Talk to the stabilizer first.

Not sure about the others but I had K&G do a small batch for me dyed amber and then stabilized.
Like Stacy said, talk to the stabilizer first before you do anything that might conflict with the stabilizing process.