Multitool.org Forum
Tool Talk => Edged Tools => Topic started by: SteveC on May 08, 2019, 07:54:49 PM
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I have a couple of knives where the bone covers were badly mismatched in color so I had read about using Potasium Permanganate to darken bone. I decided to get some and give it a try. I found some on ebay and it arrived yesterday. I had some luck darkening the bone on a couple of really old knives and it worked fairly well. I suspect that there is too much oil and contaminants in the old bone for it to be completely effective. It did work fairly well in matching them better.
I also have this GEC Harness Jack that I've done some work on reprofiling the blade and adjusting the tangs as it was a bit of a nail breaker. One other thing about it is that I've never really like the light honey color on the covers. I decided to try and darken them with the PP and it really worked well.
Here are some before and after pics
Before/After
(https://i.imgur.com/nG2honRh.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/cXIPKhmh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/r76xEgkh.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/2ZPTjQih.jpg)
Very pleased how this turned out !
link
Potassium-Permanganate (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Potassium-Permanganate-Flowing-Powder-1-5-Ounces-98-Pure-SHIPS-FAST-/161938199169?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10)
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Looks much better nice job Steve :like: :tu:
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Great job! I used it myself for the first time recently on Elk handles. Worked nicely. I just had to be patient and work slowly. Neither of which I'm very good at. :rofl:
From this:
(http://www.timelessjewishart.com/EDC_zx/buck_1.jpg)
to this:
(http://www.timelessjewishart.com/EDC_zx/buck_7.jpg)
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Makes it look much nicer :dd: :like: :like:
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Great job! I used it myself for the first time recently on Elk handles. Worked nicely. I just had to be patient and work slowly. Neither of which I'm very good at. :rofl:
From this:
(http://www.timelessjewishart.com/EDC_zx/buck_1.jpg)
to this:
(http://www.timelessjewishart.com/EDC_zx/buck_7.jpg)
Nice job ! Yes, it does require some patience and in my case quite a few coats. I wasn't sure how strong to mix it so I started with it too diluted. Worked my way up to fairly strong mix that did the trick.
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Nice work, guys! :tu:
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Nice job ! Yes, it does require some patience and in my case quite a few coats. I wasn't sure how strong to mix it so I started with it too diluted. Worked my way up to fairly strong mix that did the trick.
I had to apply quite a few coats also. Gently working the darkness in. As the PP burns the bone I experimented with leaving the liquid on for longer periods of time for more effect, allowing it to pool into the grooves, applying each time with a q-tip and I had to be very careful not to allow it to leak into the areas I didn't want to burn at the edges. I can't remember how much I diluted by, possibly 1:20 with water? When it was done I sanded it down gently then buffed for a pocket worn effect. I got a good shine from the bone.
(http://www.timelessjewishart.com/EDC_zx/buck_9.jpg)
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Steve, that's great job! It gave it a more seasonal feel. :like:
Do you apply Potasium Permanganate evenly on the entire covers or just the part you'd like to darken?
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Just the parts you want to darken. I let it pool in the jigging and left it in there for longer than the shiny parts. I stayed off the light areas by the bolsters. I found that at first the liquid would bead up and I had to rub it in a few times until it started sit more evenly. I suspect the less polished the bone the easier it would work.
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Just the parts you want to darken. I let it pool in the jigging and left it in there for longer than the shiny parts. I stayed off the light areas by the bolsters. I found that at first the liquid would bead up and I had to rub it in a few times until it started sit more evenly. I suspect the less polished the bone the easier it would work.
Thanks, these are all helpful tips and am sure it will be helpful down the road as I collect more knives with bone covers :tu:
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I am surprised you can even purchase potassium permangante as it is an essential ingredient in:1) rocket fuel and 2) high explosives.Is it pure or is it in solution?
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I have a couple of knives where the bone covers were badly mismatched in color so I had read about using Potasium Permanganate to darken bone. I decided to get some and give it a try. I found some on ebay and it arrived yesterday. I had some luck darkening the bone on a couple of really old knives and it worked fairly well. I suspect that there is too much oil and contaminants in the old bone for it to be completely effective. It did work fairly well in matching them better.
I also have this GEC Harness Jack that I've done some work on reprofiling the blade and adjusting the tangs as it was a bit of a nail breaker. One other thing about it is that I've never really like the light honey color on the covers. I decided to try and darken them with the PP and it really worked well.
Here are some before and after pics
Before/After
(https://i.imgur.com/nG2honRh.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/cXIPKhmh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/r76xEgkh.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/2ZPTjQih.jpg)
Very pleased how this turned out !
link
Potassium-Permanganate (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Potassium-Permanganate-Flowing-Powder-1-5-Ounces-98-Pure-SHIPS-FAST-/161938199169?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10)
That turned out rather well! :drool: :like:
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Great job! I used it myself for the first time recently on Elk handles. Worked nicely. I just had to be patient and work slowly. Neither of which I'm very good at. :rofl:
From this:
(http://www.timelessjewishart.com/EDC_zx/buck_1.jpg)
to this:
(http://www.timelessjewishart.com/EDC_zx/buck_7.jpg)
Looks very nice! :drool: :like:
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Nice work, guys :cheers:
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I am surprised you can even purchase potassium permangante as it is an essential ingredient in:1) rocket fuel and 2) high explosives.Is it pure or is it in solution?
It's also used as a disinfectant and drain cleaner or drain something or other.
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It's also used as a disinfectant and drain cleaner or drain something or other.
Yes, and also good for water purification or fire starter(for survival kit/emergency use) before all the water tablets become popular.
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Never heard of PP. Would the covers darken over time with use? I like the final product a lot on both examples I especially like the knives.
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Never heard of PP. Would the covers darken over time with use? I like the final product a lot on both examples I especially like the knives.
I don't think bone darkens much over time unless it's bleached bone. Two of the knives I used it on are 50-80 years old where one side was significantly lighter than the other.
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Very interesting. It sure came out nice thats for sure. There always seems to be a way. Its nice to get the look you want and enjoy the knife even more.
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Very interesting Guys :salute:
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:salute:
I have a little tub sitting waiting........good bone is hard to find!
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Looks like it works very well indeed. Nice job gents. :hatsoff:
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Thanks :cheers:
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I have a couple of knives where the bone covers were badly mismatched in color so I had read about using Potasium Permanganate to darken bone. I decided to get some and give it a try.
Very pleased how this turned out !
Very nice Steve! :like: :tu: :tu:
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Thanks ! :hatsoff: