Red root oil vs. Pilkington English red
 

I think someone asked about the difference, and although this is not a finished example, it indicate that the resulting color imparted is very close. This is a Parker doaner stock with one coat rubbed on each side as marked, topped with one coat of tung oil.

That looks about right. Thanks.





.

As pointed out in another thread, the depth and "value" of a stain's colour also depends on the character of the wood involved. Some wood needs more stain. Some less. Some a bit of "special blend."

Staining wood is more art than science, with all the variables involved. The post was intended to just show relative color on the same wood, certainly not taken to a finished condition.

I mix my own stain from powders. I can get exactly the color I am looking for mixing my own. Some have had success with mixing stain with the finishing oil but I don't do that. I believe stain in the finish muddles and inhibits bringing out the full impact of the grain. I stain to get the color I want and then do the iterations of applying the finish. I have found that this works best for me.

Many years ago I used alkanet root to bring light walnut stock wood to brown / light red. On my custom muzzle loaders I still use it on hard to darken curly maple. It worked well for walnut also but I went to mixing powders to get exactly the right color for each different stock. It’s easier and you can control the amount of red better or leave it out altogether.

For those wanting to try it, alkanet stain is prepared by compacting the roots in a two pound coffee can to a half full level. Place in a quart of boiled linseed oil (linseed oil is not really boiled, japan drier in small quantities are added). Place it on a stove and bring it to a boil. Be careful to have pliers ready to remove the can at the moment of boiling. If it boils over onto the stove it will create a lot of smoke and a hell of a mess.

The colored oil is put away to cool with the root in it. I store it in a wide mouth canning jar.

I'm late to the game, but where do you get the root to begin with?

You can get it on line I believe. I bought a bunch back in the day which came from England and I haven't used it all yet. Purdey once sold the alkanet stock coloring oil that they used on their guns. I prefer to make my own alkanet oil, but Purdey may still sell it.

I also tried the Purdey oil and slackum process of finishing stocks using their oil and slackum. I gave that up on American guns because I didn't see any real advantage to it and it takes more time to get it right. Although it does look great on Purdey guns.

I used the oil and slackum method to refresh a bespoke Harrison and Hussey top grade gun. But I used it only because that is the way the stock was originally finished back in the early twenties in London.

Ever heard of "Trade Secret" from England?

Never heard of it. What is it?