Changing Color Bone on Case?

[JTurner]

Anyone tried to change the color of the bone on a Case folder (i.e. darker or lighter)? Got any ideas on how to do this? I'd like to darken up some bone on a folder I have.

Thanks...JT

 

[johnwaynesandw]

Try rubbing oil on the bone. It will darken the more you oil and use it. Last night I pulled out some of my older bone handle knives to oil them. I let them sit for a while (until most of the oil was absorbed). If you want to lighten the color all I can say is let it sit in the sun for many weeks. This is the only thing I know that will lighten the color.


Best of luck,
John

 

[kamagong]

I once received a Boker with red bone scales. One of the scales was darker than the other. I tried to even it out by soaking the knife in a hot glass of tea. The experiment turned out pretty well, still not perfect matching, but looking much better than it did before.

 

[KnifeHead]

I once received a Boker with red bone scales. One of the scales was darker than the other. I tried to even it out by soaking the knife in a hot glass of tea. The experiment turned out pretty well, still not perfect matching, but looking much better than it did before.

The real question is, what did the tea taste like afterwards?

I'd be really careful introducing moisture and/or heat on bone since it can move quite a bit. A mismatch in colors is better than scales that look like Pringles tater chips.

I notice that some people are very concerned about how the handle colors match. You know, you can only see one side at a time. (no hate mail please, I'm just kidding )

 

[92degrees]

Tried shoe polish and a hairdryer yet? A mutual friend of ours insists a torch can be involved but I lack the nerve. I've had good luck warming the bone with a hairdryer a little, smearing on some shoe polish, getting it liquid with the hairdryer, and letting it cool. Buff lightly. Repeat if you like. Lemon oil will remove some but not all of the color immediately or later if you don't like it.

A maker known for great stag work swears by furniture touch-up markers for adding color but won't share the brand with me. I'd experiment.

 

[augustus88]

Try Fiebing's leather dye. I used it on a Boker bone handle and it worked great. A little goes a long way when applied with a soft artist brush.

http://www.shoeshineexpress.com/dyesprep.asp

 

[kamagong]

The real question is, what did the tea taste like afterwards?

I don't know. I only drink ice tea.

I didn't experience any problems with the method I used. The scales did swell a little originally, but they were back to normal a couple of days later.

 

[Zuchus]

I second the leather dye. I have a couple of the Case amber jigged bone knives in CV (a trapper and medium stockman). They were both a little too "white" for me. I dabbed on the Fiebing's, let it sit for 30 seconds or so, and then wiped it off. Now they have a nice aged yellow tint (the dye color was a medium brown). Don't use a lot and don't leave it on a long time. I over did it on one and it got a bit too dark for my liking. You can always do a second round if it is too light but if it is too dark you are stuck. It really soaks in and sanding won't take it off. Good luck -- I really like the way mine turned out.