Tiger maple?

[Chris Railey]

I got some tiger maple and I think I will use it for the Knife Pool knife I am working on. I think I would like to darken it though. How do you guys darken tiger maple and can you finish with tru oil using your method. Thanks in advance.

 

[Mark Knapp]

You can darken it using any regular wood stain that doesn't have a finish mixed in. Then you can use the Tru Oil

 

[Gene Kimmi]

I have finished it with aquafortis. I really like the looks of it, but it has issues I don't like. It's an acid that you wipe on then heat the wood. You have to be careful not to get it hot enough to release teh epoxy holding the scales on.


Another way is with leather dye. Ty Adams has WIP thread on how to do it.
https://knifedogs.com/threads/finishing-curly-maple.46851/

 

[C Craft]

Ditto on what Gene said, about the aquafortis it will really make the grain pop. It is often used in rifle stocks with curly maple grain. Do it according to direction. Here is a couple of links!

https://www.reddit.com/r/FlintlockRifle/comments/3rkqpj

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...topics/8750193/Learning_to_use_Aquafortis_on_

 

[Chris Railey]

Thanks guys I appreciate it.

 

[John Wilson]

if you want something easier to use than aqua fortis, TransTint is fantastic. It is pricey considering you really only apply a few drops. However, that also means a bottle will last you nearly forever. It is ridiculously simple to use. apply a drop or two and rub it all over with your finger (I wear a latex glove). If you want the tint lighter you can sand the wood lightly with fine grit paper. If you sand it all off by accident just wipe it on and try again.

https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&k...qmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_6jz3gsr51h_e

Here is the Red Mahogany trans tint dye on curly maple: (with TruOil finish)

and here is the Honey Amber trans tint on curly maple: (with TruOil finish)

 

[J. Doyle]

John Wilson is a wood finishing pro.

 

[scott.livesey]

to darken, try steel and vinegar. in jelly jar, add 3 or 4 oz white vinegar. add half a pad of steel wool. let stand for 3 or 4 days. strain. the liquid left will turn oak and maple black if left on long enough. have your sanding done first, as any scratches will show up dark. to stop darkening, dip in water with baking soda, then rinse in clean water.

 

[Chris Railey]

That Honey Amber is the look I am going for but you are correct it is pricey. How is the shelf life? Thanks to all for the advice.

 

[John Wilson]

That Honey Amber is the look I am going for but you are correct it is pricey. How is the shelf life? Thanks to all for the advice.

I've had that bottle of honey amber for about three years. It still comes out exactly the same as the first knife I used it on. I hesitate to say 'forever' but so far...

 

[John Wilson]

If your stripes don't come out as bold as you like, you can always get more "pop" by using a dark stain first. I use leather dye (I like Mohogany). Rub some on and give it time to dry (twenty minutes or so). Sand with 600grit or higher until only the dark stripes remain. Then apply the honey amber tint. Let it dry (again, probably twenty minutes) and sand it lightly with 2000 grit until you get the saturation you like.

The TruOil is really what brings it to life. The stains, dyes, tints, etc only give you contrast. It's the oil finish that produces the depth, like clear coat on a car's paint job.