Aging Deer Antler?

[TNtrapper]

Hey yall. Anybody have any good ways of aging deer antler? Ive got a new antler handle knife and it just needs the white turned a browner color.Looks too new!Thanks.....TN

 

[onefeather]

boil it in coffee or tea or use leather febberings stain :front:

 

[Maestro]

Boil antlers in brown onion skins (add a little vinegar to "set" the dye) - after about 1/2 hour, they start to get yellow - just leave them in longer 'till you get the desired shade of brown.

 

[onefeather]

if you want it to be really dark coffee is good i dont know any lighter color

 

[thomas]

one feather,

Good tip [there all good in fact] thanks.

Thomas :hatsoff:

 

[onefeather]

maestro im goona try that i have a powder measure i can try it on thanks :thanks:

 

[Maestro]

I think you'll like the results - this is what it looks like (the two antler tips in the photo) - although I didn't make these (they were made by a friend using the onion skin dye):

 

[onefeather]

very nice stain looks good and the measures are awsome very great work are you lucky enough that one of those may be yours lol nice work :hatsoff:

 

[longshot47]

Trapper-
A brushed-on potassium permanganate blend [1 tblsp. to 4 or 5 ozs. water] will get ya a look similar to those gems on Maestro's post. Especially handy for accenting or if you've used a secondary material that don't like to be boiled.

......Longshot

:thumbsup:

 

[DrTimboone]

I have used the potassium permanganate as well and it is great. Works well on horns too...

 

[TNtrapper]

Where can I find the potassium? Is it fairly common? Thanks yall!....TN :thanks:

 

[ameling]

I make a bunch of small "paring knife" sized camp knives or patch knives out of old hand-saw blades and spike antlers. After I finish them, I make up a batch of STRONG tea - from that cheap instant stuff - just mix it in tap water. I then soak those knives in it for a few hours to a couple days. The longer they soak, the darker the antler gets - up to a point. It really blends in the cut and sanded parts with the rest of the horn. You get a good dirty-used-aged look.

I've used the potassium permangate stuff, also. It does a pretty good job. It has a purple-ish look as you are applying it, but dries to various shades of brown. When I use it, I usually put on two coats, let them dry, and then do the soaking in strong tea. It just helps balance out all the colors. And it's easier to put it on small areas - like touching up a knick on a handle. Be careful with the PP chemical. It will stain any organic material that it touches - like you skin, or clothes, or wood table tops! It can quickly lead to another of those "discussions", like when you are cooking up your "horn soup" on the kitchen stove!

Just some humble thoughts to share.

Mike Ameling

 

[TNtrapper]

OK guys I tried the strong tea on my handle and here it is.Im suprised it came out this good. The handle was almost solid bleached white before it went in the tea. Thanks again all yall!!!

 

[longshot47]

Trapper-
You ought to be able to get it [pot. perm.] thru a druggist, from a chemical supply outlet or, I'm told, from a pool supply store. Don't need much.

Longshot

 

[blaster4]

will these methods work for bone as well? i was told that i could put it in my meat smoker to get a nice browned effect.

 

[ameling]

Yes, the tea/coffee and potasium permagnate will work on bone. They also stain wood, and leather, and natural clothe. Smoking will add some surface color, but the smoke particles won't "soak" into bone or antler like it does with leather. It will be easier to wear it off of the surface.

Just my humble thoughts to share.

Mike Ameling

 

[onefeather]

nice job on the handle i still need to get around to staining mine :imo:

 

[blaster4]

is there any kind of sealer that i should put on the bone when it's done being darkened

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--Drake

 

[onefeather]

i have stained bone and never used a sealer but mabey someone else does i dont know

 

[Nifeman]

I usually put a coat of boiled linseed oil on tocover the bone and leather wrapping. when that dries, coat it with beeswax. Hope this helps, Bud