Jigging and Dying Bone

[orvet]

Recently I purchased some white bone slabs from a supplier. I decided that they would look better if they were jigged and dyed.

I didn't take any pictures of the jigging process, I just took a picture of when I started. I got started and couldn't quit. The color on the end of the bone was a failed attempt to use leather dye.

I had read in knifenetwork of a fellow who dyed his bone with Rit fabric dye. So I gave that a try. He said Navy blue and brown seem to work the best. I dyed the jigged piece with a whole packet of Navy blue. It came out of bit dark. I did hit it lightly on the polishing wheel with No Scratch Pink compound. I did polish it up a bit, but it still must be sanded.

The other slab was dyed with a mixture of dyes. It came out a darker brown than what I was shooting for. We will see how it looks after I jig it.

I just thought you guys might like to see my attempts. If any of you have done your own jigging or bone dying I would love to know how you do it.

Thanks,
Dale

[muskrat man]

looks good. While out a few weeks ago I came upon an old kill where a cow had died, I gathered all the leg and shin bones, up. Naturally they are white, so I'm going to try jigging and dying some. I like a white bone handle though that has the age and weathering cracks and such too though. I put in an order yesterday for some jigged bone slabs, red, green, brown and I think I got some blue too, so I'll have plenty of bone on hand.

[orvet]

I found the jigged slabs that I ordered were very nice, very consistent, and easy to work with. I just wanted to do something different and make my own. I have hunting buddies who are going to save me any elk leg bones they get this year.

I don't think that the fact that the bone has cracks in it is necessarily a bad thing. If the cracks aren't deep they could take some good color, and you could come up with some cracks highlighted with dye. Maybe you could do a two-toned dye job and then fill in the cracks with superglue. That could look pretty awesome!

Let us know how it comes out.
Dale

[Cinco0219]

I've got two giraffe leg bones I'd like to cut up and dye. I would sure like to hear from someone with experience dying bone.

[Hukk]

Here are a couple links to another site I visit, but don't post very much. I don't have time for all of them, I would never get anything done if I read them all. This site is #1!

http://www.knifenetwork.com/forum/showt ... light=Bone

AND, here's another on cow bone, most things will still apply.

http://www.knifenetwork.com/forum/showt ... light=Bone

I believe WSSI can color and stabilize Giraffe bone, but there is a certain satisfaction in doing it yourself.

Actually, Giraffe bone is pricey, so experimenting with cow bone may be worth while. Cut your bone to size and experiment with the scraps to adjust color.

[orvet]

Thanks Hukk,
Actually I had gotten most of my info from those exact threads.

I jugged one piece of the brown one & discovered that the dye does not go that deep. I had dark brown bone with white jug cuts in it. It looked different & sort of cool, but you could sure see the scratches in the bone. I hit it with 600 grit (by hand) and went through the color in one spot.

I think next time I may boil it in the dye and then add some alcohol (after taking it away from the heat) and see if I can get the dye to penetrate deeper.

Experimenting is part of the fun.

I picked up a piece of Giraffe bone at a show last year, but haven't used it yet. It is an odd color, it will have to go on the right knife. You are right, it is expensive.

I am hoping to find some good stuff at the OKCA show next weekend. I also hope to find some folks to share info with.

Thanks for the help,
Dale

[Hukk]

Might want to try a pressure cooker for deeper dye penetration, no flammables of course. Also may want to try a vacuum pump like they sell at Harbor Freight for ~$18.00. It will pull about 25-26 inches of mercury, enough for refrigeration or an ac unit on a car anyway.

[muskrat man]

OK, so I've been experimenting with jigging and dying a little. This scrap piece was soaked for three days, jigged afterwards and lightly buffed. I like the color, looks like frog skin. I have another set jigged, and it's soaking now, looking for a different color this time.

[sunburst]

I find this all really interesting folks, thanks for sharing it with us..

Sunburst

I like the color, looks like frog skin.

Hey MM,

I was wondering what ever happened to Kermit.. Now we know...

[orvet]

Update on my first dye job:
I polished a piece that had set for a week after dying. The color penetration was deeper than the one I polished the next day. I think the dye had set in better.

On the second batch I used lemon juice in the dye, (theory being that the acid would help it penetrate better), I am not sure it made a noticeable difference.

MM,
What kind of dye did you use?
I have been trying Rit fabric dye.

Dale

[justold52]

I was told that frog legs and cats tastes like chicken.

Bony leg for lunch at M&M's. You will never know if it's cat or frog.

[orvet]

The only way I like cat is stir fried with Hoisin Sauce & lots of rice.

Dale

[muskrat man]

The only way I like cat is stir fried with Hoisin Sauce & lots of rice.

Dale

frog and fish fry, you betcha- frog and cat fry, no thanks .

I'm using a wood stain that was developed for deep penetration in hardwoods. We'll see what happens. I've got a set of deer leg bone jigged and soaking, today is day three, I'll take them out and let them dry.