All About Pocket Knives

herbva wrote: ↑Tue Jan 02, 2024 11:08 pm After reading Reverand's earlier post about using elk antler dog chews for knife scales I had to give it a shot, particularly since I've used up a fair part of my sambar stash. This Remmy 365 came to me in a lot of knives that I won in a recent, large, proxybid knife collection auction. The scales had previously been removed and otherwise the knife showed no signs of ever having been used. Stewart and Ritchie's book on Remington knives indicates that the R365 was made from 1920 to 1940 and only with celluloid scales. I think I may have gotten the dye a bit too dark, but am otherwise happy with my first elk hunting adventure. Thanks for the tip Reverand!

BIGHEAD wrote: ↑Wed Jan 03, 2024 2:35 am Herb try not dying anything until the scales are on the knife (you may have) Also try thinning the scales a bit more I think you will find better results.
Not trying to tell you how or what to do just giving another angle from a knife guy who also works on them.

herbva wrote: ↑Wed Jan 03, 2024 1:09 pm

BIGHEAD wrote: ↑Wed Jan 03, 2024 2:35 am Herb try not dying anything until the scales are on the knife (you may have) Also try thinning the scales a bit more I think you will find better results.
Not trying to tell you how or what to do just giving another angle from a knife guy who also works on them.

Thanks for the input BH. I did the dying last, with scales on, after thinning them quite a bit, but I do think I should have taken a bit more off. I'm going to try that, and the potassium permangenate next time.

Bill DeShivs wrote: ↑Wed Jan 03, 2024 10:05 am It's potassium permanganate.

BIGHEAD wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 1:13 am

herbva wrote: ↑Wed Jan 03, 2024 1:09 pm

BIGHEAD wrote: ↑Wed Jan 03, 2024 2:35 am Herb try not dying anything until the scales are on the knife (you may have) Also try thinning the scales a bit more I think you will find better results.
Not trying to tell you how or what to do just giving another angle from a knife guy who also works on them.

Thanks for the input BH. I did the dying last, with scales on, after thinning them quite a bit, but I do think I should have taken a bit more off. I'm going to try that, and the potassium permangenate next time.

Thought about my post and it may have not been typed the way I intended. What I was saying about thinning and waiting to dye. Is that if the stag is thinner there will be less white on the ends to color as it wont have to be hafted as much therefore making it easier. Is all I was trying to say. Typing stuff down dont always come off as it would in a conversation

Bill DeShivs wrote: ↑Wed Jan 03, 2024 10:05 am It's potassium permanganate.

herbva wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 11:26 am

BIGHEAD wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 1:13 am

herbva wrote: ↑Wed Jan 03, 2024 1:09 pm

Thanks for the input BH. I did the dying last, with scales on, after thinning them quite a bit, but I do think I should have taken a bit more off. I'm going to try that, and the potassium permangenate next time.

Thought about my post and it may have not been typed the way I intended. What I was saying about thinning and waiting to dye. Is that if the stag is thinner there will be less white on the ends to color as it wont have to be hafted as much therefore making it easier. Is all I was trying to say. Typing stuff down dont always come off as it would in a conversation

I understood exactly what you were suggesting BH, and I do really appreciate the suggestion. I'm used to working with the thinner stag (deer antler) slabs that come already cut to a thinner size (and are a lot more expensive). I just ordered a jar of potassium permangenate crystals, which I guessing will last a lifetime. Just to make up a small amount of the solution that will be enough for one knife, roughly how much do I need to add to how much water?

Bill DeShivs wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 8:50 pm I mix potassium permanganate with water until the solution is saturated-you can't get any more to dissolve. You will probably still need multiple applications.
I use a Q-tip. If you use your finger, the finger will be brown for a long time! Latex gloves are handy, because this stuff seems to get everywhere.
You can let the mixture dry out and then re hydrate it as needed.

BIGHEAD wrote: ↑Fri Jan 05, 2024 1:53 am 95D1B2D6-3384-4E52-A303-185F0110E5E9.jpeg
Here is one I did with a Dog Chew. The customer didn’t want ends burnt or colored. I think it turned out good leaving the white.