finishing stag

[HSC ///]

I just completed the stag frame handle,
any suggestion on finishing the stag or way to enhance it?
previously I think I had dyed one in tea but it's been awhile and I can't recall

I just sanded and buffed with white

thanks
Harbeer

 

[Geoff Flato]

Potassium Permanganate. I mix it strong enough to make a fairly rapid color change. Give it a number of coats until it looks much too dark. Then give a LIGHT buffing and wax.

 

[Bladegunner]

Damn, Thats a sweet blade!

 

[HSC ///]

Potassium Permanganate. I mix it strong enough to make a fairly rapid color change. Give it a number of coats until it looks much too dark. Then give a LIGHT buffing and wax.

like a 2 oz bottle from eBay?

 

[jdm61]

Fiebings spirit based leather dye.

 

[Geoff Flato]

like a 2 oz bottle from eBay?

I bought a package of it years ago on eBay, $20 will get you a lifetime supply.
And this will never change color on the stag over time like dyes can

 

[kuraki]

I'm curious how that's going to effect the pins, if at all. I'd be leery of using leather dye since it's stained metal and been a $$%@# for me to clean off without abrasives in the past. And I've only used PP prior to assembly.

Also is that spacer leather? Or something else that could be stained? Or is this still in a state it can be disassembled for staining?

 

[john april]

maybe go for gloss shine on the stag because it seems to be a kitchen knife and it would help resist staining, and the shiny handle would contrast the stormy look of the blade and make each stand out more. right now they do not play off each other visually. i would soak it in a strong warm tea for 20 minutes, or some kind of dye and go over it with 1000 on a hard block, then 1500 and buff. the block will make a sharp definition between the white shiny parts and the matte parts. hand sanding will leave a blurry transition.

 

[S.Alexander]

I like the colors how they are. If you want to keep it that way, then just finish the stag with a couple coats of truoil.

 

[Brock Cutlery]

I can't help on the stag, but that is a really fine looking blade H.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

TruOil is one of the last things I would put on stag.
I see you already know about Magic Marker. Potassium Permanganate is what you need for brown coloration.
All stag needs for finishing is polishing, and a coat of paste wax.

 

[S.Alexander]

Have you found that Tru oil has any ill effects, or do you just prefer finishing with paste wax? I haven't had any problems with it.

TruOil is one of the last things I would put on stag.
I see you already know about Magic Marker. Potassium Permanganate is what you need for brown coloration.
All stag needs for finishing is polishing, and a coat of paste wax.

 

[Horsewright]

Your stag has already been in PP. That's how it got the dark brown color down in the valleys. Remember when that set of scales looked like this? PP caused that.

Prior to the PP they looked more like this.

After dyeing the scales in PP I hit them with a couple of coats of Deft clear coat satin spray. Then work normally when finishing the handle, sanding and buffing. I do finish with a couple of coats of carnuba car wax. That's about it. Some steak knives I made the wife for our Anniversary couple months back:

Absolutely gorgeous knife by the way!

 

[Bill DeShivs]

I can't see that Tru Oil would hurt stag. It's just gummy for a very long time, and stag doesn't need sealing like wood.
Like Horsewright, I use clear spray lacquer to coat the stag, then polish off the exterior.
Not all stag has been treated with potassium permanganate.

 

[argel55]

I see no mention of using super glue to enhance the color. I do use lemon oil to keep some of that dried appearance cleaned up.