Anyone tried replicating Case's dark red from the 70's ?

Hickory n steel said:
That looks perfect.
So how long did you have to soak it ?
I have no patience.
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If patience isn't a virtue....then try doing this just before going to bed, that way it gets an overnight soak without getting restless watching it ;)

Clean the knife with rubbing alcohol, lighter fuel etc, use gloves so you don't get oily fingerprints on it etc. Let it dry off.

Find a stainless steel container, small saucepan, jug etc wide enough to allow the knife to be be opened in it with the or 1 blade at half stop. Tape blades thoroughly, bolster(s) too.

This is VITAL: Obtain Teabags such as the British or Irish like drinking, i.e. STRONG. Believe 'Yorkshire' tea bags or 'Yorkshire Gold' are available in the US. PG Tips, Typhoo are all good. Just no American or European blends, these will be for markets that like weak tea, no. Then boil a kettle and put 3 or 4 of these bags in the container and just about cover the bags with BOILING water to make a very strong bath, add pinch of salt. After 3 mins brewing, place the knife in the liquid and use the tea bags to make 'cushions or a 'nest' for it, thus the knife is covered on both sides by tea-bags. Leave overnight.

Rinse under warmish tap the next day, use a drop of liquid soap to get excess colour off. Leave to dry in a rack, then a hairdryer and or compression. air to remove water drops, WD40 in joint/liners wipe off, oil the joints and apply a coat of beeswax or furniture polish, mineral oil whatever you prefer and buff. Works well on Stag too but don't get alarmed if the Stag 'bloats' a bit with moisture, it will return to its normal shape.

I've done this as I can't obtain leather dyes here in Scandiland. This has worked for me on various bone slabs for darkening, it may work for others too :)
 
So this thread inspired me to attempt to turn a recent disappointing purchase into something salvageable and I believe it worked. I recently ordered a Case Mini Copperlock in antique bone, but when it arrived (brand new in box) I found what can only be described as a manufacturing defect in the stain on the bone. I tried to get it repaired or replaced through Case’s warranty but they replied that handle color wasn’t covered under warranty. I almost just threw it out but ran across this thread and decided to try dyeing the handles myself, and I’m glad I did because it turned out beautifully. I bought some Tintex Black dye on Amazon and put half the package into a pan and brought it to a simmer. I put them knife in and let it cook for 15 mins then removed the pan from heat and let it cool for about half and hour. I cleaned it off real good then polished the handles and bolsters, and then waxed the whole knife. I was a little surprised (pleasantly) that the black dye actually turned the original color into a nice dark mahogany color.
See the before and after pictures and let me know what you think.IMG_8011.jpegIMG_8012.jpegIMG_8856.jpegIMG_8866.jpegIMG_8867.jpegIMG_8865.jpeg
 
The overall color wasn’t bad, it’s the bad staining in the circled part I had a huge issue with.
Honestly, I think the folks at Case should be ashamed of themselves for putting that knife in a box and sending it out the way it was.
 
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OG_Shocker said:
The overall color wasn’t bad, it’s the bad staining in the circled part I had a huge issue with.
Honestly, I think the folks at Case should be ashamed of themselves for putting that knife in a box and sending it out the way it was.
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Yeah I saw that and what I see in the pictures doesn't bother me, but in hand and in person it could give a different impression.
 
OG_Shocker said:
So this thread inspired me to attempt to turn a recent disappointing purchase into something salvageable and I believe it worked. I recently ordered a Case Mini Copperlock in antique bone, but when it arrived (brand new in box) I found what can only be described as a manufacturing defect in the stain on the bone. I tried to get it repaired or replaced through Case’s warranty but they replied that handle color wasn’t covered under warranty. I almost just threw it out but ran across this thread and decided to try dyeing the handles myself, and I’m glad I did because it turned out beautifully. I bought some Tintex Black dye on Amazon and put half the package into a pan and brought it to a simmer. I put them knife in and let it cook for 15 mins then removed the pan from heat and let it cool for about half and hour. I cleaned it off real good then polished the handles and bolsters, and then waxed the whole knife. I was a little surprised (pleasantly) that the black dye actually turned the original color into a nice dark mahogany color.
See the before and after pictures and let me know what you think.View attachment 3078724View attachment 3078727View attachment 3078729View attachment 3078731View attachment 3078732View attachment 3078733
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Looks good :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
I think Case's "pocket worn old red bone" looks pretty close based on the pictures in this thread. This swayback gent is from 2011. And, there are seven patterns with pocket worn old red bone covers in the 2026 catalog.

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