Ever stain pine with lye?

[rich pierce]

I was de-hairing a deer hide that had been soaked in a lye solution. It stained a pine board a nice warm dark brown color. Anyone use this on powder horn plugs and such?

[T.C.Albert]

I believe Cherry will color with lye, didn't know about pine. Nice tip.
Tim A

[rich pierce]

It gave honey and molasses tones. Plus it’s cheap and I’m cheap. 

[WKevinD]

I use a lot of lye when making soap (about 600 bars a year) and also for staining cherry.
It is very caustic, I have tried to save a stain solution in a mason jar, not a good idea, the metal top rested away quickly. It will also burn your hands on contact. I always keep distilled vinegar on hand to neutralize any spills or contact with skin. Safety glasses or goggles are a good idea as well.
If it's handled carefully like nitric acid it is a great stain.

Kevin
Cherry stained with lye