- Joined
- May 18, 1999
- Messages
- 15,395
mrostov posted a link to Swamp Fox Knives here. I was curious so I clicked on it and found a really wonderful website with truly Real Period pieces!
Thank you mrostov!!!!
In perusing the site I came across several pix of beautiful knives with outstanding antiqued antler handles. Many of you have asked me what oil does to antler and these pix show the results admirably.
Antler can be antiqued by many means and depending on the porosity some means are better than others.
Sometimes simply soaking antler in a solution of strong instant tea with lemon added, you can buy it that way, will give you the nice dark color that years of use will impart without waiting.
Other times more stringent measures are necessary and so the leather dye comes out but you have to be extremely careful and it takes a lot of manipulating to get it just so.
There may be easier ways to antique antler but I don't know them. My methods are what I've been taught and learned on my own over the years.
Like cutting fresh thick green grass and mashing it and mixing with water, or alcohol, to make a beautiful green dye for antler and bone, probably work on light colored horn as well but have never tried it.
Likewise soaking antler, and bone, in hot oil, sometimes many times, will impart the beautiful finish seen in these pix.
Hope this link works.
But if it doesn't just go to the website and check it out. You won't be disappointed, promise!
http://www.swampfoxknives.com/04-271.jpg
http://www.swampfoxknives.com/
Thank you mrostov!!!!
In perusing the site I came across several pix of beautiful knives with outstanding antiqued antler handles. Many of you have asked me what oil does to antler and these pix show the results admirably.
Antler can be antiqued by many means and depending on the porosity some means are better than others.
Sometimes simply soaking antler in a solution of strong instant tea with lemon added, you can buy it that way, will give you the nice dark color that years of use will impart without waiting.
Other times more stringent measures are necessary and so the leather dye comes out but you have to be extremely careful and it takes a lot of manipulating to get it just so.
There may be easier ways to antique antler but I don't know them. My methods are what I've been taught and learned on my own over the years.
Like cutting fresh thick green grass and mashing it and mixing with water, or alcohol, to make a beautiful green dye for antler and bone, probably work on light colored horn as well but have never tried it.
Likewise soaking antler, and bone, in hot oil, sometimes many times, will impart the beautiful finish seen in these pix.
Hope this link works.
But if it doesn't just go to the website and check it out. You won't be disappointed, promise!
http://www.swampfoxknives.com/04-271.jpg
http://www.swampfoxknives.com/
