dyeing Bone?

David Stifle

David Stifle

Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
10,188
Hi Guys,

What kind of dye do I need for bone, and does anyone know what color combinations is needed for amber? Thanks
 
The dye you are going to need is oil-based leather dye, and the color "saddle Tan" will get
you pretty close to an amber color. Bone dyeing is certainly not an exact science. Guess
how I know this.
Ken.
 
kc custom said:
The dye you are going to need is oil-based leather dye, and the color "saddle Tan" will get
you pretty close to an amber color. Bone dyeing is certainly not an exact science. Guess
how I know this.
Ken.
Click to expand...

Ok, Ken,

I appreciate the advise. I thought I needed a whole different type of dye, such as adeline (spelling?). again, thanks a lot.
 
OK I am going to open my mouth with my limited experience and offer this. I have yet to find a dye that will actually take to bone. It mostly lays on the surface with little or no penetration. However I am going to link to a recent thread on another site and you can look at some of Catherine DeFelice's work.

http://knifedogs.com/showthread.php?23797-Lion-in-bone-by-knifecarver

When I first started talking to her about these pieces I did not read the thread as well as I should have. First I did not realize I was talking to a woman. Second until I clicked on the link within the later part of the thread and saw her full name, I still did not know who I was talking too.

I first saw some of her work about two years ago and when I saw her name I then I realized she is often sought after for the work she does just like this on knives that seem to sell for boockoo bucks!
Her work is impeccable and her use of shading is awesome! I still don't know exactly what kind of wax she is using for the shading on the pieces she has of the lion but it works.

So if there a dye out there that actually will work into the bone I am not the one to ask. I have tried a little of everything but the problem I have had is that even when dry, it will rub off, unless there is some kind of a sealer put over it! Anyway that's my O2 on the subject but I am always open to learning!:thumbup::D

BTW potassium permanganate will turn bone brown. It is an oxidizer used in treat well water and such. Beware it mixes up purple looks purple when applied but it will turn antler and bone brown. It will also turn your hands or anything else it touches brown and it is wash and wear! Here is a thread where it is discussed

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/798608-Dying-bone-methods
 
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Cathy's carving is simple compared to what i've tried, lol, guess it would be good to chat with her because I could learn a lot. I am working on a sword with a bone handle, carved in a complex intertwining vine motive. probably far too ambitious for me, but it's done with fairly good results. My main problem right now is cleaning up tool marks. The bone is already a fairly mellow yellow just from handling, I was looking for a way to turn it into a deeper amber, without sending it off to a professional house.I applied a coating of LIME SULFUR ( capped to emphasize it does work) to good effect, it added a nice, fairly deep color (but it's a stinky process). Was hoping for an easier way to color.
Thanks Dixie, appreciate your sharing.
 
That's what I was thinking Bill. Just wishing I could find another method, as ..well, I guess I'd have to order it. By the way, I've seen many of your posts in Bernards forum, and appreciate all the time and input you offer there.
 
Hi David,
Here are a couple of things you can try. #1. Indian ink (found in arts & craft stores in different colors) #2. Liquid shoe dye or paste #4. Briwax furniture polish. Dark brown is the only color I could get to stain the bone dark enough. This is what I used on the the Lion knife and the WIP by clydetz of a wolf knife I did. If you go with a paste, it has to be buffed out. What little paste is left, gets stuck in the cracks and brings out the carving. I would try it on a piece of scrap bone 1st. To remove tool marks, try a diamond impregnated tool and/or sand paper wrapped around a stick. Thanks for the compliments Guys! Here is the WIP Link
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/930843-What-do-you-get?highlight=clydetz
Post a picture of your work David!

Cathy
 
David Stifle said:
Ok, Ken,

I appreciate the advise. I thought I needed a whole different type of dye, such as adeline (spelling?). again, thanks a lot.
Click to expand...

You want "analine" dyes. It is the same stuff used in wood and leather dyes and is alcohol soluble. You can get better effects starting from powdered wood dye, but this is more expensive than if you used liquid leather dye such as Fiebings.
 
Thanks Bill, Cathy,KC, Dixie, and CW,

I appreciate all the information. Cathy, I need to finish the saya, and then I will post pictures of this sword. I'm pretty happy with the handle, and hope you guys like it when I post it soon.By the way, Cathy, I hope you didn't take offense at what I said, the words just came out wrong. I've never tried animals, all of my carvings are of grapevines, twisting vines, etc. I looked at the link you provided, and your work is astonding!
 
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No offense taken, David. As a matter of fact, I found this thread on accident and thought it funny to see my name mentioned. Hope I didn't shock you by answering!
Cathy
 
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