how do you dye stag and bone?

Brent Fry

Brent Fry

Joined
Oct 24, 2003
Messages
275
I am trying to dye some bone with leather dye. The dye that I am using is alcohol based. The problem with this is that the dye totally penetrates the bone so it is just a solid color , wich of course is not the effect I'm looking for. I want some of the white bone to show through when I shape the scales. I also want to dye some golden stag but don't want to totally penetrate the horn would an oil based leather dye be better? Any help on this subject would be much appreciated.
 
Without doing a major tutorial on this it would be tough to give a simple answer
because all bone and esp. antler dyes differently. The best thing I can say is
pm me for my phone # and I'll try to answer any questions that I can.
Ken.
 
This is just cow bone I got at the pet store. The dye just goes right through it of course this bone isn't stabilized ,so it is more pourus.Im thinking that maybe a thiker dye would be better. My main concern is that I don't want to ruin a perfectly good piece of stag if I try to dye areas of it to make it golden stag. Is there any finnish (gokden or not) that you would use on stag other than a polish? Thanks again !
 
Use less dye. Apply it with a q tip. The thinner the coat of dye, the less it can penetrate.
 
Shape it and then dye it and rub it off all at the same time. That way you will be able to control the color and the depth of color. The same way you would a piece of wood. The longer you leave it on the darker it gets, but if you wipe off as soon as you put it on you can control it. Good luck.
 
This has been gone over again and again here. Yes, I am just a registered user, have been for 10 years but am going to bite the bullet and upgrade shortly, maybe even tonight, to support the place...

OK, the long and short of it. I attended a Hammer-In in Old Washington back in...well, I don't remember the year. I believe it was the Spring of 2001. Clyde Fischer was there. He imparted this knowledge to us and he was sure to say that he got it from the guy that dyed the bone for Case.

Here is the straight scoop...or what Case does/did any way...as told by Clyde.

Use fresh bone. You can get a fresh shin bone from a slaughterhouse or butcher. Go ahead and cut it up to a bit oversize to what you are going to use. He used Ritz dye. Simmer (don't boil) for 2-3 hours and turn off the heat. Do not remove the bone. Let it sit overnight. The next day, simmer again for a couple of hours. Afterwards, use half ATF and half gasoline and coat each scale with it. Layer them in a box with newspaper in between for 3 weeks.

This works, folks. Just remember. DO NOT BOIL! Just simmer! If you boil it, it will crack!

Craig
 
Thanks a ton guys. Ill play around this some more. Been too busy with other things lately. Ken I think I will take you up on your offer so I can learn more will pm you soon for a convienient time. Thanks again!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top