Dying bone methods

[hoopster]

Anyone have advice on how to get this bone to look a darker, more mottled color with more brown or caramel tones? I read that leather dye might work but if there's anything else around the house that will work or any tips on how to go about the process I'd be glad to hear them.
Thanks.

 

[hoopster]

Looks like some of my options are tea, coffee, rit dye, leather dye, and potassium permanganate but I'm a little leery of doing the work with the bone on the knife. I'm assuming to much heat could crack or harm the bone. Will allowing it to soak submersed in a solution do any harm?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Leather dye or potassium permanganate will dye it while on the knife. Apply with a Q tip. Don't soak it-use multiple coats. If you use leather dye, try a lighter brown. Dark brown will come out almost black.
Tea and coffee won't penetrate very deeply.

 

[hoopster]

Leather dye or potassium permanganate will dye it while on the knife. Apply with a Q tip. Don't soak it-use multiple coats. If you use leather dye, try a lighter brown. Dark brown will come out almost black.
Tea and coffee won't penetrate very deeply.

Excellent Sir. I think I have enough advice to give it a shot now. :thumbup:

 

[Doc13]

I'm interested to see how this turns out, please post some before and after pics.:thumbup:

 

[Pipeman]

Use Fiebings Oil based leather dye and with that orange base colour I'd be trying a very tiny spot on the edge and let it dry. Even when dying white bone or antler it comes out some colours that are less than pleasing. I use it all the time to dye bone, antler, wood, mammoth and of course leather. As Bill has said, use a Qtip. Light brown tends to be a pale chocolate milk colour, medium brown has a red tone, dark brown is my favourite but put on in layers and let it dry as it very often changes colour. I would also sand the bone with 400 grit black paper just to break the surface.

Best regards

Robin

Top pic is light brown on both the sheath and handle, dry dropped antler.
second is both Medium and dark browns on both sheath and antler handle.
Third is Light brown (wiped off early) on the moose antler handle, dark brown on the top of the sheath and a few coats of medium brown on the bottom of the sheath and polished out. The ivory inlays were done in light brown then sanded out with 1500 grit paper.

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[hoopster]

Well, here's the final outcome. I used a combination of extra strong brewed coffee, Kiwi brand black leather dye and red food coloring. Not necessarily in that order but different combinations of the three. I'm pretty happy with it, would have liked it even darker but it just wouldn't get there.

I may still try some of the leather dye in burgundy.

 

[hoopster]

More pictures after an application of Fiebings leather dye (burgundy). I just wiped the bone with a q-tip soaked in alcohol then wiped dry, followed by the dye and let it soak until dry. After it was all dry I wiped it down with some mineral oil. I'm pretty happy with it now!

 

[Scott Free]

That looks great! When I was a kid, my grandfather got me hooked on barlows. I haven't owned one in a while. Seeing yours might change that. Nice job!

 

[imthebossinhere]

magnificent

 

[gull wing]

Well done!