Antiqueing Deer Horn

[Bruce in Eastern CO]

I'm making a deer horn handle for a F&I War era longhunter and want to 'antique' it to the rich, dark brown seen on other replicas. Is there a dying process that will do this? I would greatly appreciate a referral to a detailed instruction sheet if there is one on the web, or suggestions if no web site exists. Thanks for your help.

 

[Steve Hayden]

I use leather dyes

 

[Frank Eaton]

Do a search on potassium permagnate sp? It does a real good job of darkening antler. Frank

 

[Chris Crawford]

There is a maker around here named John Cohee that makes a lot of period pieces. He takes all of his bone, horn, antlers, etc.... and boils them in coffee. He makes the coffee extremely strong, and the material comes out nice and dark. It will bring the original color back to antlers which have faded over time. -chris

__________________
Chris Crawford Knives

 

[Dan Gray]

Do a search on potassium permagnate sp? It does a real good job of darkening antler. Frank

permanganate
http://www.knivesby.com/Potassium-Permanganate.html
I like it,, some guys don't..

 

[Bruce in Eastern CO]

I appreciate the advice and links.
Thank you for the help.