Can I dye the Micarta?

B

bunghole

Joined
Jul 6, 2005
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I just got a new to me large classic micarta inlay and was wondering if I could dye the micarta. I don't see why not. Any risk of the inlay coming apart from the scale?

I was thinking I would just drop it in a pot of hot water with some Rit dye and there you have it.
 
I would imagine hot water not good for the adhesive...

Also, using the black micarta as the base I can't imagine you could impart much color change.
 
Big_Red said:
I would imagine hot water not good for the adhesive...

Also, using the black micarta as the base I can't imagine you could impart much color change.
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The black is really looking sort of grayish. Not sure if that is from age or how it was originally. Looks nice, but I was wondering if I could even darken it up. Might go jet black even.
 
Why not contact CRK and see if you can have the inserts replaced with something that you like better?
 
KnifeKnut66 said:
Why not contact CRK and see if you can have the inserts replaced with something that you like better?
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Cause that would be too easy :D

I'm a chronic tinkerer and I really like making my knives "mine" if that makes sense. In fact, I'm thinking of doing a hand-rubbed finish on this blade.

Here are some pics...

IMAG0072.jpg


IMAG0073.jpg


IMAG0074.jpg
 
if you want it to be black, just use it. It will be solid black in a few days.
 
If I were going to try dying one of these...which I most assuredly would not ;) ...I would try an alcohol-based dye applied very sparingly with a cotton swab. It would probably penetrate...it might dissolve the VHB tape, however...chronic tinkerers need to assume some risk... ;)
 
I would venture to say the dye job is a good plan to screw up a great knife.

Just my opinion though... maybe get CRK to polish it up and put some Ebony inlays for you?
 
Dying pheonolic does not work. I've experimented alot with water and alcohol dyes. The material is not porous enough to absorb the dyes. Any effect is fleeting--it eventually rubs right off.

Here's what does work, to keep your colors brighter:

Clean your knife thoroughly. When dry, apply a few drops of 3-in-one oil to the micarta/G-10/carbon fiber. Rub it in and watch the color pop back out!

If you look at any of my scales I fabricate, I most always apply oil to the surface after I'm done. Check out my photobucket link in my sig line and you'll know what I'm taking about.

Forget the stain, remember the oil!!
 
Barry H said:
Dying pheonolic does not work. I've experimented alot with water and alcohol dyes. The material is not porous enough to absorb the dyes. Any effect is fleeting--it eventually rubs right off.

Here's what does work, to keep your colors brighter:

Clean your knife thoroughly. When dry, apply a few drops of 3-in-one oil to the micarta/G-10/carbon fiber. Rub it in and watch the color pop back out!

If you look at any of my scales I fabricate, I most always apply oil to the surface after I'm done. Check out my photobucket link in my sig line and you'll know what I'm taking about.

Forget the stain, remember the oil!!
Click to expand...

Bingo!

I tried that and it is jet black now with no oily feeling at all. I put a few drops on each inlay and brushed it around with a cheap bristle brush and then wiped briskly with a paper towel. Looks like a new knife. And it has that "my dad's tool shed" smell to it now. I love it!

I'll try to post some pics tomorrow so you can see the after.

Thanks Barry!
 
I was going to suggest using wd40 on some 1000grit sandpaper. Kinda wet sanding with wd40. It wont sand the micarta as much as darken it and polish it. Ive done this to many knives to darken up green canvas micarta. works good.
 
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