I use antler as handles either scales or a solid piece. I have used PPermanganate and I want to try to use leather dye in red, blue, or whatever color on the antlers. I have seen on threads posted where you boil the antler in water with the dye but, can't remember the next process. Any other suggestions and instructions needed, thanks.
dyeing antler
- Thread starter Rey
- Start date
Denny Eller
Well-Known Member
I have heard of using shoe polish and a torch but haven't tried it yet.
calharkins
Well-Known Member
I dyed a spike elk antler to make a handle. The antler was a shed and was bleached out. This may not be the correct way, but it is the way that I did it.
I cleaned the elk antler. I then put a medium brown leather stain on the antler. I put plenty on and let it soak in. I let it dry overnight. I then put some Fiebings dark brown antique finish on it and rubbed it on making sure I got plenty in the crevices. I wiped off the stain but left the finish in the crevices. I let that dry overnight. I then took some 400 grit sandpaper and gently sanded the high spots on the antler. This gave the antler a 3 different color appearance. I buffed the antler and it looked good to me. (But what do I know <grin>). I didn't put a sealer on it. In retrospect, I probably should have put some Formby's tung oil finish or super glue or some other finish on the handle.
Again, this looked good to me. Others might have another way of doing things.
Hope this helps.
I cleaned the elk antler. I then put a medium brown leather stain on the antler. I put plenty on and let it soak in. I let it dry overnight. I then put some Fiebings dark brown antique finish on it and rubbed it on making sure I got plenty in the crevices. I wiped off the stain but left the finish in the crevices. I let that dry overnight. I then took some 400 grit sandpaper and gently sanded the high spots on the antler. This gave the antler a 3 different color appearance. I buffed the antler and it looked good to me. (But what do I know <grin>). I didn't put a sealer on it. In retrospect, I probably should have put some Formby's tung oil finish or super glue or some other finish on the handle.
Again, this looked good to me. Others might have another way of doing things.
Hope this helps.
I have been making some knife stands out of deer antler, and use a propane torch to darken the antler, after torching, sand with a slack 400 grit belt just taking some of the high spots down, giving it a lighter color where sanded. This is a trial and error method, so be sure to try on scrap antlers first to get the hang of it, and be carfull not to over do it with the torch, you can always darken it more if you need too. I haven't had the nerve to try this on a handle yet, but I do like the way it looks on the stands.
Dale
Dale