Camel Bone Scales

[Walt-]

I have a set of Camel bone scales I picked up at a knife show. They are as white as white can be. What options does one have for dyeing, finishing etc. I have zero experience with working with this medium. Thanks

[Kevster]

Are they smooth? I've never worked with them but I would think any wood stain would give them whatever color you're looking for? Pro's correct me if I'm wrong.

[Ray Rogers]

Camel bone is pretty nice stuff. You can do anything you like to dye it or texture it. Some people will use Rit fabric dye, wood stains, some prefer something like coffee or rusty water, use anything you like except oil based dyes (because that interferes with stabilizing). After you have the dye done send them off to K&G and have them stabilized. Or, if you want, K&G will dye them and stabilize them at the same time. Having them stabilized makes finishing them dead simple - just buff.......

[Walt-]

Thank you

[BigCountry86]

I use water based leather dyes on most of my bone. It raises the rough grain up and gives me an ultra smooth finish upon final polishing

[Doug Lester]

One caution about working with bone. Wear a respirator not a dust mask when sanding it especially if the sanding is done with power equipment. Also, it really stinks to work with. I made some scales from elk leg bone and the odor hung in the house for 3-5 days.

Doug

[tuskbuster]

i love it.take the backside down flat to where you cant see any of the pith ,and natural is my favorite color.the slight heat from a worn out 800 grit belt polishing gives a lite yellow hew to it