Hi,

I sent a few pieces of stag to MOP Co. to have them dyed. They came back totally black. So I'm wondering what I should do to them. SHould I brush them with soap, or something?

Thanks,

JD

It's not black, it's really, really, really dark red! I'm sure I told this story earlier, but can't find it right now. First of all, while working with the stag, wear disposable rubber gloves. Just rub them vigorously, and thoroughly, with an old towel. (If your kids will do it, count yourself lucky)......until the stag kind of shines. It will still get your hands red, when working with it, but by the time the knife is done, i t's pretty clean. I even wear the plastic gloves when grinding it down/thinner and sawing it to shape. You can buff it, but will probably run into some problems, too much buffing, etc. Even after completion, buff it a little but don't over do it.

It pretty much ruins the towel, although they will kind of wash, if you dare put it in your washer!

Let us know how it goes.

I would just add that wiping with acetone will remove a good bit of the color from the bone as well.

Thanks Steve - I'll try that.

And yes, you did talk about it a while back, but I couldn't find the thread back.

JD

Here it is, from page 2. There are a few more items mentioned here:

pub42.ezboard.com/fcustom...=154.topic (http://pub42.ezboard.com/fcustomknifedirectoryforumfrm5.showMessage?topicID =154.topic)

Lemon juce and vinager also work. Gib

So, you;re saying that you clean the stag off initially with acetone, or vinegar and lemon juice? Or do you do that after the handle is finished?

Sorry I'm a bit dense....

I have heard complaints of too much color in dyed bone and stag from MOP, and Mick Koval gave me the acetone solution several years ago. I was thinking "bone" rather than stag when I posted my comment above, so it is probably inappropriate for stag, though it might work.

To get that stuff off your hands/skin, mix some liquid bleach and water. Wash your hands in it. You can also soak that towel in it. Works for me anyway. :)

Thanks, Don. And I'll try that cleaning mix. One's hands surely od get stained. I've been using the bucket of wipes that tool suppliers sell, they work pretty good.