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A simple color change to stag

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:39 pm
by sunknife
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.

Re: A simple color change to stag

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:43 pm
by americanedgetech
Lovely job!
It looks like a perfect match to me. ::nod::

Re: A simple color change to stag

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:46 pm
by dcgm4
Great job! If you hadn't said you dyed it, I would've thought the color was natural. ::tu::

Re: A simple color change to stag

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:50 pm
by Quick Steel
An impressive result sunknife. Congrats!

Re: A simple color change to stag

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 10:04 pm
by sunknife
Thanks fellas.
I've used this dye many times before on bone, antler, wood and leather craft projects with good results. Just never tried it on knives until now.

Re: A simple color change to stag

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 10:28 pm
by jmh58
Very NICE!!! Well done!! John :D

Re: A simple color change to stag

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:02 am
by Steve Warden
I like it ::tu:: ::tu::

Re: A simple color change to stag

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 1:44 am
by rea1eye
Very nice job. Great improvement.

Bob

Re: A simple color change to stag

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 1:57 am
by #goldpan
:shock: nice job! Looks professional ::tu::