Antler dye experiment

[skullworks]

We've been talking a lot about how different dye techniques affect antler color so I did a little experiment. All these antlers started out bleached white like the tip on the long one. From top to bottom.
#1 is boiled in actual antler dye with water and then scuffed with a piece of sand paper and scotchbrite pad to bring out lighter areas.
#2 is boiled in antler dyed and water and is NOT scuffed with sand paper.
#3,#4 & #5 were boiled with tea bags and coffee grounds.

Hope this is of some help!

[d. ward]

Those came out with some great color I like em.bd

[tippit]

That's great work!  Thanks for the info...tippit

[Lin Rhea]

SW, what are you calling antler dye? Are you talking about potasium permangenate or something I've never heard of? I like the top one best. Lin

[MYSTIKBOW]

Interesting... How long were the boil times?
Try using steelwool (000 or 0000) for a slightly better effect than the scotchbrite pad.
I like the color of the top one best in the first pic and the color of the second from last one in the bottom pic.  As an after thought the very dark one has some great possibilities!

[skullworks]

Originally posted by Lin Rhea:
SW, what are you calling antler dye? Are you talking about potasium permangenate or something I've never heard of? I like the top one best. Lin

The actually call it antler stain. Here is a link to Wasco Taxidermy supplies. Boil time was in the 30-45 minute range. The stain can be brush on but it doesn't seem to get as much penetration as boiling in it.

 http://www.taxidermy.com/cat/12/antler.html

Scroll down to find it.

[Lin Rhea]

Thanks  for the link. I am really interested in this stuff. Good deal. Lin

[skullworks]

Originally posted by Lin Rhea:
Thanks  for the link. I am really interested in this stuff. Good deal. Lin

No problem Lin, hope it helps! I'll post pics of the finished knives when I use them.