Burning bone handle scales

[zombieHD55]

I don't have the option to search the forum so I apologize if this has been asked before.

Can a small flame or torch be placed on natural bone handle scales either smooth or jigged to give them a darker color?

I asume that there is a potential of overheating the handle scales and craking them or making them brittle .

Would you reccomend doing or not doing this?

If you have done this before were you results successful?

For example: a Case 6.5 bone stag knife with light colored bone scales worked back and forth over a zippo lighter for a minute or two.
Any input would be appreciated since I am eager to attempt this.

Thanks.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Don't do it. It will be painfully obvious.
Bone should be dyed. Potassium permanganate or leather dye works well.
Bill

 

[rebeltf]

Ditto what Mr DeShivs said.

From experience , it can make the pre finished , installed bone brittle to the point where it can crumble , then you'll be SOL.

Another idea I've used a couple of times is dye , as in shoe leather dye.

Polish hard with a rag and watch that pretty sheen develop.

 

[zombieHD55]

Thanks for saving my knife. Much appreciated Bill.

 

[StretchNM]

Before reading this, and not knowing any better, I did it. Not to a knife though, to a firesteel I made with a bone handle. I took a Dremel with a bit in it, tried to do some (ugly) jigging, and then burned it lightly with Mapp gas. Then I dipped it in a dyed shellac. It didn;t hurt the bone any, but the burning or searing was very brief. After reading this thread and thinking about it, I wouldn;t do it to a knife.

Here's a photo. The burned bone is the one on the right.

 

[zombieHD55]

I am going to give leather dye a try. I know looks aren't everything. But I am often steered away from a quality knife because the light colored bone handle material isn't the shade/color I'd prefer.

I now know that this should not be attempted on a knife however that firesteel looks nice. :thumbup: Thanks for the pic!