dyed antler

[Jon Shade]

Is it possible to dye antler once it has been pinned and glued to the knife? I have an old drop point that I am refinishing and I like the elk handles. I just want to add some color to them. (amber, orange, yellow or red tint) Thanks in advance! Jon

[Lin Rhea]

You can do it but it is extremely messy. You can get leather dye and put it on straight or dilute it. Or you can get some potassium permanganate crystals and mix it with water and apply that. It will turn it purple at first and then it will turn brown.

When I say it is messy, I mean messy. It was too much risk for me as a married man. Things can get spilled or touched.

Better read about it some before you try it. I don't know that it is dangerous in the poisonous sense but it might be in the kitchen floor or garage floor sense.

I would try the leather dye first. I think denatured alcohol will clean it up. Better read the label.

[Steve Nuckels]

I agree with Lin.

You could also use a heat gun or hair dryer to carefully heat up the antler and apply either the leather dye or Potassium Permanganate.  The antler is very dense and applying heat opens up the pores and the antler will soak up what ever you choose to use.

Again be careful using heat especially on an older knife handle as it could loosen the original adheasive if it was in fact glued.

Maybe first dye it without heat and see if that gives the desired effect.

Steve
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Potomac Forge
Member, W.F. Moran Museum & Foundation
ABS AP

[Jon Shade]

Thanks Lin and Steven! Sounds like something I had better try when the wife is away! Thanks again! Jon