dyeing jig-bone

[msierant]

greetings all, probably the dumbest and easiest question or the day. anybody have any suggestions on what I should use to dye some bone scales? they're a light yellow/gold now. would like a honey brown. appreciate any advice. best regards to all.
mike

 

[jc57]

There's an older thread about it here, using RIT dye on the stovetop.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/868446-Dyeing-Bone-A-Tutorial

Some people prefer to use a slow soak in tea or coffee. I have found that you can also use colored Sharpie (or any other brand) permanent markers to achieve some good results, though it doesn't absorb much of the ink. You just color the handles with your Sharpie, let it dry, maybe give it another coat, and then when that has dried, do your best to remove it all using alcohol or some other light solvent. I personally use Renaissance Wax to remove it as well as buff the handles. It won't have a big effect but you can use different colors to adjust it to taste and you don't have to dye the entire surface the same color.

 

[DocT]

Tea is an old method of dying to a golden brown. Coffee will work, too, but have a more brownish color. And, the tea or coffee do not have to be very hot. Just let them soak over night or for a few hours. If you have some extra bone, try it and see. Or, go to the butcher shop and get some cow bone, boil and clean it, then dye it to see how you like the result before you put in your good ones.

 

[DocT]

BTW, natural bone will yellow and age over time, collecting oils from your hands as you use the knife.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

The preferred method for dyeing bone is to use a solution of potassium permanganate.