A simple color change to stag
Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:39 pm
I decided to try a little dye experiment to better match the color of the stag scales on this knife. The scales on the pile side came with a nice reddish brown color to them but the mark side was pretty washed out looking and not a great match.
I wiped the mark side stag with some alcohol, warmed it a bit with a heat gun and applied some leather dye with an artist brush. I then lightly heated the stag again to dry the dye. I allowed it all to cool and then applied wax as I do on all my antler, bone and wood handled knives. I think the warming of the stag prior to applying the dye allows it to penetrate a bit better and therefore make it less likely to transfer off when handled. Even prior to applying the wax I rubbed it vigorously with my thumb and no dye came off. Here's a look at the results, pretty decent match IMO.
I wiped the mark side stag with some alcohol, warmed it a bit with a heat gun and applied some leather dye with an artist brush. I then lightly heated the stag again to dry the dye. I allowed it all to cool and then applied wax as I do on all my antler, bone and wood handled knives. I think the warming of the stag prior to applying the dye allows it to penetrate a bit better and therefore make it less likely to transfer off when handled. Even prior to applying the wax I rubbed it vigorously with my thumb and no dye came off. Here's a look at the results, pretty decent match IMO.