Early American Period Knives

[tippit]

Rob with his Black Powder Gang site has gotten me into a flintlock.  Now I'm trying to forge up Period Correct style knives to go with my flintlock. Hardest part is getting stains on bone and antler to look like the old blades.  It's been a journey researching these old styles but fun.  Does anyone else forge up these knives?  The shapes of a lot of my knives is similar to some of those early blades...but I haven't figured out the staining yet.  Tried tea but there is more to learn.  Anyone know different staining technics?
tippit

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Earlier blade styles by other contemporary bladesmiths...

 

[tippit]

My try at staining bone handles with Tea...

 

[TacoBobbo]

Interesting knives. Just out of curiosity, have you considered using henna to stain things. It's the stuff that they use in places like India to give temporary skin art. Ya might check that out online. Anyway, just a thought.
Bob

[Rufus 25]

Have you tried black walnut husks?  My grandfather used them to dye leather and other material.

[milehi101]

I have good luck with Fiebing's Leather die

[B.Barker]

Tippit, Ian and myself included use onion shins to stain bone and antler. Sometimes you need to use combinations of stains. Another good for greenish black tints is gun powder tea. You need the stuff that is rolled up in little pellets.

[tippit]

This is the knife that started the post...now tea stained bone & blade.  I'll probably carry this one until a better comes along.  OAL 9 1/2" with a blade of 5 1/2", 1084 steel, and bear bone handle.  This is a whole new adventure for me.

 

 

 

[tippit]

B. Barker,
What color did onion skins give you on bone & antler?  What type of onions did you use?  Just the skins in boiling water?  Thanks

[KSCATTRAPR]

I like to use bri-wax on antler do give it a good dark look. You have to leave it on awhile, but that's always another option.

[Ray Hammond]

I wonder what potassium permanganate would do to bones, Jeff?

[Keith Zimmerman]

Why stain them.  They will develop the patina from normal use.  Do u think Simon Kenton wanted a knife that looked like it was 250 years old?  They didnt buy stuff that looked aged back then.