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Info on how to darken whitetail deer antler

Fish30114

Fish30114

Joined
Jan 5, 2014
Messages
1,495
I had a customer give me a chunk of whitetail antler he wants used for his knife handles--issue is this is an old sun baked very hard very bleached out piece of antler. Looking for advice on how to possibly darken it up-customers request
 
I use several methods. One is to dye it with brown leather dye, coffee, etc.. Another is to use potassium permanganate.

Another method I just started using and so far like it the best is to burn it with a propane torch. It will first turn brown then black if it burns too much. After this give it a heavy coat of oil to cool it down and condition it.
 
The knife on top was burned with a torch and oiled. I like this method better than dye because dye penetrates so deep that there is no color variation when sanded. This method only burns the outside and the inside is still white.
12910181_10153551538832781_295908054_n.jpg


This one was dyed with leather dye and you can see what I mean about the dye's penetration.
1798289_433818763414877_347799638_n.jpg


Another option is to leave them as they are and just oil and buff them.
10007235_554356604694425_398096467283774078_n.jpg
 
Potassium permanganate is far superior to burning or using leather dye.
Neither of those methods looks natural.
 
The torch method can work well but, a regular propane torch can be very hard on the antler. It heats such a large area that it can cause cracking. I have heard of using the micro torch, also known as the crack pipe lighter. It has an extremely small very hot flame and works in fine detail.. Have not tried it yet but will be in the not to distant future.
 
Don't freak out when the antler goes purple, it will turn brown as it dries. Keep brushing on your solution until you are happy with the colour. I prefer leaving it in a jar of solution overnight for a very dark/rich colour. Half a tea spoon of the crystals to a pint of water is plenty.
 
Thanks Count and Del Raso, I'll put those pieces of info to the top of the stack--

Appreciate it--Don
 
Briwax for the win. Light brown color. Rub on, set for a minute or so, wipe off with old towel.
 
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