Dyeing a horn that is not perfectly white

[conquerordie]

Question for all the talented horners out there. I am scrimshawing my horn. The horn itself has a nice shape, but the color is not all white. In places where I scrimshawed the horn is white, and in other places, a darker brown.

So my question is, if I was to try to dye the horn a yellow color, would it help even the background or the horn, or will there be the same white and darks spots, just with a yellow hue? I don't want to age the horn, so I'm not positive I will. Just curious as to your experiences. Thanks,
Greg

[Cory Joe Stewart]

It might help with the contrast.  I have engraved plenty of tan colored horns and the engraving shows up. 

[davec2]

Greg,

Here is a horn I did a while back that was significantly mottled  (original post here:   http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=21886.0  )

This was a $17 finished horn I bought from one of the muzzleloading vendors as a toy for a young nephew.  I wound up modifying it for him later as a gift.  The horn is far from being a primary scrimshaw candidate but it, surprisingly, came out OK.  And I did color it some to even out the light and dark areas.......Here is how it started out......











And here is how it ended up.........

[conquerordie]

Cory and davec2,

Thank you for your insights. I think from what I read and see a little coloring would help. So does anybody have a good recipe for a slight yellowing? I've read many of the discussions using the search button about what to use to age a horn. They all give that deep yellow that horns appear to have after 200 years of sitting around. I'm making this horn to go along with a bag and fowler that could have been used at Lexington and Concord. It is by far my most favorite day in history, so I'm making a complete accouterment set that a militiaman might have had.

On  side note, davec2 I read your whole post on your $17 dollar horn. Beautiful horn, and you gave me some great info on tools to use next time. Thanks again.

Grerg

[P.W.Berkuta]

Greg,

Here is a horn I did a while back that was significantly mottled  (original post here:   http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=21886.0  )

This was a $17 finished horn I bought from one of the muzzleloading vendors as a toy for a young nephew.  I wound up modifying it for him later as a gift.  The horn is far from being a primary scrimshaw candidate but it, surprisingly, came out OK.  And I did color it some to even out the light and dark areas.......Here is how it started out......



Dave -- your "TOO MUCH" fabulous workmanship as always!!! Truly a "Silk purse from a sow's ear" -- I love looking at your work!!!









And here is how it ended up.........