Tea staining antler

[Sutcliffe]

I've got some deer antler that I'd like darker than what I end up with after finishing. I've heard that you can dye or stain these using tea. Any help or ideas on how to go about this?
Thanks

 

[rotor]

get a couple tea bags make some strong tea soak until you get the desired color i di some deer antler the tea was luke warm when i did it hope this helps Russ

------------------
cable damascus is like a box of choclate ya never know what yer gonna get

 

[Terry McMaster]

Rotor has the answer. I have also used coffee grounds to stain both antler and lighter colored woods. Either penetrates deeps and provides consistent color. Terry

 

[totally tactical]

Sutcliffe I've only done this once. I used a combination of tea and coffee to dye a piece of Elk antler. It resulted in a beautiful golden brown color. I left the antler in the solution for a couple of days. I noticed 2 side effects though. After I thought it was dry, I started to clean out the center for my hidden tang. I found the inner spongy core, which is usually a pain to drill out, became extremely brittle. It only took me about 5 minutes to easily make the slot for the tang. This is one side effect. I then proceeded to fit the guard and drill a hole in the handle for the pin. About a week or two later, after the knife was treated, I was assembling the handle and was having difficulty tapping the handle pin in. I gave it a couple of firm whacks and turned the handle over to see it the pin was all the way through and discovered the second side effect. The soaking had caused the antler to shrink. I didn't notice this and consequently cracked the opposite side of the handle when I was pounding the pin home. I don't know if it was just bad luck on my part but you may want to let your antler sit for a couple of weeks before you drill any holes.

Hugh

------------------
King of all that rhymes with Orange!

 

[akivory]

The best thing I have found to use is potassium permangnate.You can get it at a store that sells supplys for water softeners and it is not very expensive.It comes in a powder and is mixed with water.You do not have to leave it in as long as you would if you were tea staining it. When it comes out it is purple and then it oxidizes and turns a nice brown .I have a friend who carves antler for a living and all he uses is Fiebings antique leather finish.It comes in a paste form andis wiped on. It looks good.
Chuck