I use 1/8th teaspoon potassium permanganate to 1 pint of distilled water to make a solution for "old timey" staining of wood. Works GREAT on walnut and other dark woods and it will turn pine a golden color.

Once you have the wood the way to want it, apply the stain with 0000 steel wool and let 'er dry. If it's not dark enough repeat until it is. Then you MUST apply a coating of boiled linseed oil to seal it.

WARNING!!!

This stuff, which makes up to a purple stain, will stain dark brown ANYTHING organic: you, your clothing, various other people, etc. AND it is quite poisonous, if ingested for some reason drink LOTS of milk and call a poison control center (or just 911). It's also caustic and mixed with certain substances (nothing I've mentioned!) can produce a really neat flare.

Be careful. I have several ounces, myself.