Dyeing deer antler

[SilentJohn]

I figured it would be a good start to ask you guys this.

Is it possible to dye deer antler black ?

 

[mikeinct]

I've had some success using minwax oil based stain on old mule deer & moose sheds.It darkens up some & polishes better...These showed some degradation to being exposed to sunlight areas...Note: These were Many years old...25 to 30 years hanging in a barn.VERY DRY, Well Aged Material..Antler, bone, mammoth ivory..is funny stuff..I try to describe it like a fingernail...That waxy substance.[A protein?]inside of it..Will give you fits, inconsistent results,some areas refuse to color up..Sometimes it looks better stained..sometimes worse...After ten or twenty mins of drying..Wipe off any excess oil stains w a clean dry cloth.then allow to air dry..Also..You'll need a piece from either end to practice on..Good luck..Mike in Ct

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

People use wood dyes and leather dyes to surface color antler. Potassium Permanganate is how to tan/brown color is attained.

I would cut up some test samples from scrap pieces and try some experiments.

 

[SilentJohn]

You see I bought a devil skull antler bead, I like it but was thinking black would be a better fitting color

 

[Bill DeShivs]

You can boil it in Rit dye, mixed very strong.
You will need to polish it afterwards.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Or use alcohol base black wood dye.

 

[jdm61]

Potassium Permanganate is how to tan/brown color is attained.

And on rare occasions, the elusive purple and even pink colors.

 

[SilentJohn]

 

[Frank Niro]

Lovely carving !
Frank