How To Stain/finish/polish a carved moose antler handle??

P. McKinley

P. McKinley

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Jan 27, 2008
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I'm stumped. I've never done this before and I need to do the finish the "right" way.

Here's a couple of WIP shots of a moose handled knife that I'm mangling with a "wood spirit" carving attempt. I went to great lengths to carve some nice fine hairs(not seen in photos) so I want them to show up, and I want highlight the contours of facial features. I've never tried spot staining/dying like this job would require.

Does anyone have any experience with this technique?

Thanks,

Peter

Photos:

Here is the start after doing some practice on a chunk of figured maple.



Getting there:


Finished... to this point at least:






 
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That's really cool.
If it were me, I'd try antique stain for leather working.......on a scrap piece first of curse. It is used to fill in and highlight the carving in leather........put it on, wait a bit, and wipe the excess off the high spots.
Darcy:)
 
I really cant comment on the staining, allthoug the above answer makes good sense to me. That being said, I absolutely love your carving.
Any chance you could come to Sweden and teach me:D

Brian
 
Darcy - "antique stain for leather"...... I get some and give it a shot. Thanks!

Brian -
Ohhhhhhh, you don't know how much I'd like to visit Sweden. Its pretty high on the bucket list! My Mother's father was from Karlstad(sp?) and I still have relatives in that same region.

Now as for teaching you how to carve....... (note the puzzled and surprised look on my face)........ ummmmm, this is the first time I've done this. The FIRST! I afraid there's much I could teach you at this point.
I've just sat at my bench for the last 10 hours, squinting through my magnifying visor, squeezing a full-size dremmel in my one good hand until my thumb is now permanently numb. Open in front of me is: Tom Wolfe Carves Woodspirits and Walking Sticks by Tom Wolfe. My neck and back ache, and I'm sure my thumb will never be the same. This, in the hope that I'll end up with something befitting the san mai blade its attached to.
The blade, butt plate and guard are completely finished so I have one chance to get this right. Nothing like pressure, eh?
 
If you happen to have a piece or two extra of the antler, do some carving on them. Nothing serious, just get down to several different depths. Put the stain on it first to see how it turns out.
I like the eyes. Maybe try to leave them white and stain the pupil area only? Some clear nail polish might help with that. You did a good job. keep a shop vac close to your work to get rid of the dust.
 
Railrider - I still need to give a bit more definition to the beard and clean up the outline. Otherwise, its about there. I was wondering about spot staining certain areas as you mention. And staining with what.... leather dye, wood stain, shoe polish, potassium permanganate..??
 
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If you happen to have enough extra pieces, carve a little in them all. do some more beard like streaks in them. Then try the stains you have on hand in small sections. Shoe polish on one side and wood stain on the other (unless someone has done this and says to use XXX or stay away from YYY). I have no clue about staining the antler. But your carving, very nice!! Good luck with it.
 
That's dang good for a first attempt at a wood spirit, especially in antler! (I've been carving wood for about 8 years now) I did some scrimshaw work this winter in deer antler and I'm wondering if india ink might be the ticket for you. Another idea would be dark Briwax. What ever you try, try it on scraps first. It only takes a few minutes to ruin a nice piece of work like that. Don't ask how I know!
 
I commend you on the great first job, especially using a dremel. Very nice. I would have given up carving a long time ago if I hadn't discovered the ultra speed air driven handpiece I've been using for 20 years. If you are going to continue carving I'd recommend lots of hand exercises.
As far as shading the suggestions given are all good. I sometimes just use a dark brown acrylic wash for subtle shadows.
 
Before reading the first response post my thoughts exactly were also the antique
leather stain.
Ken.
 
Potassium permanganate allows you to darken light or dark, depending on application.
 
BigBlue; Ifyou ever get around to visiting your relatives in Sweden, you are welcome to visit me. I live about 2 hours drive from Karlstad (even if you cant teach me;).
Really? Your first?

Brian
 
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