Staining Maple

F

fyimo

Joined
Dec 3, 2002
Messages
13
I was at the Arkansas Knife Show yesterday in Little Rock and I saw several makers knives that had handles of maple that were stunning. I asked them how they got the maple to stain like that and they answered in 2 different ways. Half of them said they used leather stain and the other half said they bought something called majestic from a knife maker out of West Virgina named Wilson.
I understand the leather stain method and plan on trying it but what I really need to know is where to buy the Majestic stuff the others mentioned. They said that you put it on with a cotton swab and the more you put on the darker it gets. The finish almost looked like walnut and it made the mineral streaks in the wood stand out and they were awesome.
I would appreciate any info on where to buy this stuff because I have seveal pieces of tiger maple that I want to use if I can color it up to look like what I saw yesterday.

The show was awesome by the way and it was my first. I was overwhelmed with all the talent and beautiful kinves I saw and how friendly all the makers were.

Thanks, Art
 
That sounds interesting, I haven't heard of this "Majestic" product before. I have some nicely figured quilted rock maple that I haven't used yet because I have trouble getting it to stain evenly.

I've heard of using (potassium permangatate??), if I remember right, on maple. It reacts with the sugars in maple wood to color it.

I hope someone responds about Majestic.
 
I think Auqafortis is the correct name for it. It reacts when heat is applied. The guns of old were done this way. Very pretty and as dark as you wish. Auqafortis is a gun bluing salt also.
 
It is called Majestic Maple from RW Wilson, comes in (approx) 4oz bottles and is around $5. Call RW, he's a gas to talk to.
If you use it straight, it will make the curly maple so dark that you will lose most of the figure. You will need to experiment to find a good dilution ratio. I settled on 10 to 1 for a lighter color. It doesn't stain real deep so you will want to be at your final handle dimensions.

RW Wilson
 
The majestic maple stain is made from chromic acid. it comes in a crystal and is mixed with water in the correct ratio. it is applied and let dry then heated with a heat gun, hairdryer. or over the forge, to darken. after heating then rub with 00 or finer steel wool and reapply until the desired effect is achieved. I have used this stuff and it works great. His # is 304-723-2771


edited to add: oops sorry tracy we must have posted at the same time
 
Thanks for the information. I realized when I got home yesterday that all I knew was the name but not where to get it. I will order some immediately and when I get it practice to get the look I saw at the show. There were 2 or 3 bowie knives with maple handles that were finished this way to look like walnot ( at least to my eyes) and they were breath taking. I have to do a couple of knives with this because I loved the look.

Thanks,

Art
 
I have a question, what are you guys doing to stabize your maple?
I ran some though a vacuum and woodhardener and it came out great but after that it won't take a stain worth a hoot. After you apply this stain or majestic, what are you applying to stablize the wood? are you just applying when the handle is finished, danish or tru oil or what? Whats your final finish coat?

Thanks

Bill
 
I generally don't worry about stablizing maple unless it splated or one of the softer maples. The stuff I have is really dense and hard. I will get the handle to finish size and shape a to probably 600 grit finish and then apply the Majestic. After that I will finish it with 4 0000 steel wool and tru oil or Danish oil. I use either and I like the Danish oil slightly better but I do use either on different knives.
 
Same thing, I'm not stabilizing either. I'm using Richards Classic Oil, from John Richards (Phone 502-255-7222). Soaks in nicely and hardens up quite well. Repels water readily. From memory, it's around $7.50 for 4oz (or so). Good stuff so far.
 
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