Question

[schnauzerdaddy45]

I am building a bowie and want to use dogwood for the handle. I want the handle to be blood red. what would you reccomend for coloring? And what finish? I am thinking of Several coats of tongue oil like I used on other pieces in the past. Opinions please.

 

[Barry Clodfelter]

Leather dye will soak into most wood pretty well.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You haven't filled out your profile ( which would be a good thing to do), so I don't know where you are, but;

Wood dye is probably the best for durability. Woodcraft and most woodworking supplies sell it in every color you want. The alcohol base dye works best for me.

I wold suggest sending the block ( fully dried first) to WSSI, and have them dye it the color you want and stabilize it. That will give you a very tough and well colored handle. Don't cut it into scales before stabilizing to prevent warp. You can send a large block or a whole board and have enough for many more handles. Call or email Mike and he can help you with any details.
http://stabilizedwood.com/

 

[dogwood dan]

Have you works with dogwood before? I would agree with bladesmith, dogwood is so dense that dye may not penetrate very deep,