darkening kabar/Becker micarta

knifejunkie1928

knifejunkie1928

Joined
Feb 15, 2015
Messages
1,369
So I just got my first set of micarta handles from kabar really love the feel of them. However Im looking to darken them up a bit. I've heard vegetable oil will do it but for a better coat and color should I go buy some wood dye at lowes?

photo_zpsrt9se4m7.jpg
 
Actually my micarta handles for my BK9 darkened from normal use. I think it darkens naturally from the oils in your hand. Try using it for a while and see how it looks. 😀
 
Do not use Vegetable Oil. If any oil, use Mineral Oil.

Agree with the linked thread - use RIT Dye.
 
wood stain, leather dye, rit dye, walnut hulls, kool-ade.......
 
Spameater12003 said:
RIT dye works well with no oily residue.
Click to expand...

TravisH said:
Do not use Vegetable Oil. If any oil, use Mineral Oil.

Agree with the linked thread - use RIT Dye.
Click to expand...

Yep, RIT dye works great and is available in many colors.

I did a set in blue for a step-son-in-law who was retiring from the Air Force. For some reason I didn't take a photo...

I do have a photo of my BK5 which I did with a mix of red and brown RIT. The green is also nice, and I've been contemplating painting some tiger stripes on a set with undiluted RIT. I'll post that if I ever get around to it.

 
I'll attest to mineral oil. I oiled my BK16 with it and when some got on the handles I thought, "Hmmm, I kind of like that look..." and rubbed in a light coat all over.

Here's what it looked like before the oil:
DownloadedFile-8_zpsistkgstu.jpeg


After:
IMG_5510_zpsqgl2t6ct.jpg


The interesting thing is that putting it in the sheath actually changed it a bit as the oil was absorbed a little into the straps.

Also, everyone's right about the more you handle the micarta, the more it will darken as sweat, oil, blood, dirt, etc. gets worked in.

I am interested in the KoolAid method though... ;)
 
Careful on the oil if you have a leather sheath. A small bit from contact is prob fine but I wouldn't try rubbing the leather down with it. I'm not speaking from experience only that I've read that mineral oil shouldn't be used on leather. I don't use veg oil on anything. I find that it gets sticky and builds up and I hear it can get moldy.

Still loving that 16 orezona!

I've gathered up the resin and burlap for home made scales but I'm still floundering on a press design. Not sure if I should make a squared mold or just press it between two boards



$1.48/roll was a steal! 15' each. Looks like I can make 1 set per roll. I'm considering adding denim or linen to make it two toned and it may double my material to 6 sets. I plan on a complete write up on the process.
 
RIT liquid dye + some vinegar + boiling water + a long soak =
 
I put my Tung Oil, BLO, beeswax, carnauba wax, citrisolv mix that I made up for wood handles on my micarta, darkened them and made them a little more grippy, hopefully I'll get my pics up soon.
 
with leather dye, you can wipe it down, wait 30 seconds, then scrub it with dish soap and the color will stick but not bleed onto your hands when dry.
 
NCSlice said:
Careful on the oil if you have a leather sheath. A small bit from contact is prob fine but I wouldn't try rubbing the leather down with it. I'm not speaking from experience only that I've read that mineral oil shouldn't be used on leather. I don't use veg oil on anything. I find that it gets sticky and builds up and I hear it can get moldy.

Still loving that 16 orezona!

I've gathered up the resin and burlap for home made scales but I'm still floundering on a press design. Not sure if I should make a squared mold or just press it between two boards



$1.48/roll was a steal! 15' each. Looks like I can make 1 set per roll. I'm considering adding denim or linen to make it two toned and it may double my material to 6 sets. I plan on a complete write up on the process.
Click to expand...

Looking forward to the write up on that. The bottom set of burlap looks like it will mak a great set of micarta scales.
 
1066vik said:
with leather dye, you can wipe it down, wait 30 seconds, then scrub it with dish soap and the color will stick but not bleed onto your hands when dry.
Click to expand...

Yep. I have used leather dye many times to dye the Ka-Bar Micarta as well as the ESEE Micarta. Make sure to scrub it with a soap and a tooth brush or light scrubber after you dye it like Vik said.

Also, Ka-Bar micarta thru the years has been different colors. A few years ago it was much darker, more of a brown, than it is lately. The last few orders I got were pretty light. Sorta tan-ish with a slight hint of green. So yes they will darken up over time as the oils in your hands are absorbed, the out come will still vary depending on original color.

Here is an example of the some of the different colors they have used. The first one, I believe, is the earliest BK-11 micarta, the second is somewhere in the middle, the last is some of the newer stuff. However, I have received some since that is a little darker as well. So looks like the color is changing once again.

a33f375042ff76216f4de4f39a220621_zpsjovark3c.jpg
 
I read somewhere (out on the internet, so it must have been true right?) :rolleyes: that no two batches of micarta are ever exactly alike (even the "real" Micarta, not just home-made wanna-be stuff).
 
zzyzzogeton said:
I read somewhere (out on the internet, so it must have been true right?) :rolleyes: that no two batches of micarta are ever exactly alike (even the "real" Micarta, not just home-made wanna-be stuff).
Click to expand...
I could believe that for micarta made from natural canvas and coarse fabrics but not those of finished paper and fine linens, especially from a commercial operation.
 
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