Help... need advice on good leather/wood dye/stain

[BryFry]

So I've been looking for a good brand of dye and/or stain for wood and leather, and so far I haven't been too happy with what I've tried.

I like a good deep dark rich reddish color, couldn't find anything at my local shops so I ordered some Angelus brand oxblood colored leather dye, and tried it out on my Fallkniven sheath...

...pretty close to what I wanted, but I noticed that no matter how much I wiped and buffed, this stuff continues to rub off onto anything that touches it. (including the nice leather handle of the knife, unfortunately) ..not too happy with it!

I also customized a few tomahawks and wanted to stain the handles a similar dark reddish brown, so I thought what the heck, I'll try this leather dye..... well that was a BIG mistake, the handle turned out a light PINK! ...and still rubbed off all over everything.

So I tried several wood stains, and none of them came out how I wanted. Here's the closest I got....

I wanted it to be darker and richer.
Anyhoo, I know I've seen other guys who get just the color I want, and at least one guy I recall saying he used the same dye on both wood and leather, but I can't find any of his posts to ask him what he uses.....


So, can anyone please recomend me some good dark reddish brown dye that might work on wood and leather, and not rub off onto your hand once it's been worked in???

-Thanks in advance,

Bryan


P.S. -if you happen to have any pics or examples of your own, I would love to see them!

 

[J. Doyle]

I've been happy with Fiebings dyes. The have some colors in that range and I haven't had any problems with the dye not being permanent.

 

[BryFry]

I've been happy with Fiebings dyes. The have some colors in that range and I haven't had any problems with the dye not being permanent.

Thanks! Have you used them on both wood and leather with good results?

 

[amcardon]

I'm a big fan of antique gel stains... Never tried it on wood before but on typical veg-tanned leather, if you use burgundy, it is a very deep red finish... I can try to get some color-correct pictures up if you'd like... Granted, I think the only sheath I have around here was hot dipped but I might have one kicking around that hasn't been dipped, just stained...

 

[amcardon]

Found some pics, it's of a rifle sling I made a couple months back, was not hot dipped or treated after the antique gel stain (multiple shots so you can try to get an idea of the actual color):

 

[BryFry]

Found some pics, it's of a rifle sling I made a couple months back, was not hot dipped or treated after the antique gel stain (multiple shots so you can try to get an idea of the actual color):

Yes! That is pretty much what I'm looking for!

Antique gel stain huh.... I can't quite see the labels, can you provide more info on the specific name brand and color you used there?

Any idea if it would also work on wood?

 

[J. Doyle]

The fiebings dye has worked very well on wood for me. I've used it on a few types and it penetrates well and is permanent with no color rubbing off once it's dry.

 

[amcardon]

Oops, I was sorry on the color, it's not burgundy, it's mahogany... LINK