Coloring hackle

[Allan]

Once I acquired the basic colors (RIT dye) I can mix up just about any shade I need. Black and a really good dense purple still elude me.

This from a very experienced hackle 'grower' who dyes necks and feathers, what he told me (paraphrasing) 'Black has a purple (or maybe he said violet) base and it's difficult to get a good black/black. Dye the material brown first, then black'. However, he also suggested that I use Lady Clarol(sp?), or similar women's hair dye, to get a really good black. This method does not bleed like the former may.