Dying sodbuster handle

jobasha11

jobasha11

Joined
Oct 9, 2013
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It seems that I can only find a full size sodbuster in cv with yellow handles. Ive wanted to try a sodbuster for some time now but I dont want to buy their tru-sharp. So my problem is that if I bought a yellow handled one, could I dye it with something? And has anybody tried this.(Or maybe I just cant find one thats not yellow?)
 
Why? Yeller is the quintessential Sod Buster color. Add CV and some patina, and it's got the most mojo of all the Sod Busters. ;)

It also makes it easy to find if you drop it.











It also looks good on other patterns.





This one was repaired by Case.



 
Woodrow, your making the yellow look a lot better than stock photos, but i still think I would prefer a different color.
 
I tried it and had very little success. I went for orange and basically was left with a rust color handle. A good beater though!
 
jobasha11 said:
It seems that I can only find a full size sodbuster in cv with yellow handles. Ive wanted to try a sodbuster for some time now but I dont want to buy their tru-sharp. So my problem is that if I bought a yellow handled one, could I dye it with something? And has anybody tried this.(Or maybe I just cant find one thats not yellow?)
Click to expand...

Older black versions of the small & large sodbusters were available in carbon steel (before Case actually starting calling it 'CV'). Look for 1970s-vintage or earlier '2137' (small) or '2138' (large) pattern knives on the 'Bay or from other secondary market sites. Not hard to find, and usually not very expensive either. Might've been some into the early '80s also, but I don't remember.

Having said that, I have 'Tru-Sharp' stainless recent-production versions of both the large and small size. Blade grinds are excellent, especially the thin hollow grind on the small version. Great slicers, and easy to take care of. If you want a black one, I wouldn't write it off just due to the steel. BTW, I have two of the yellow ones as well; they're all good. :)

Here's a pic of two of mine, 39 years apart: a 1970 '2138' and a 2009 '2138 SS':

David
 
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I have dyed bone-handled CV knives from Case. The process will cause pitting in the CV blades. I don't recommend it. Dyeing bone-handled Case knives with stainless blades works fine, though. This from the stove-top RIT dye method.

There is a thread or two about dyeing Delrin over in the Maintenance, Tinkering, and Embellishment forums. None of the results I saw looked good.
 
+1 on the Tru-sharp being very serviceable. I have used the sodbuster jr in SS quite a bit and found it to be pretty good IMO.
 
Do you only want case? If not gec makes a terrific version in orange, black, and more recently green micarta. (55$ shipped from collector knives!)
I would go this route before trying to dye deltrin.
 
From seeing the replys I think I'm just gonna get it and see if i like it.

Ernie1980 said:
Do you only want case? If not gec makes a terrific version in orange, black, and more recently green micarta. (55$ shipped from collector knives!)
I would go this route before trying to dye deltrin.
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Ive looked at them and think i would like them, but its like a buck 110, I want to try the classic.
 
Ernie1980 said:
Do you only want case? If not gec makes a terrific version in orange, black, and more recently green micarta. (55$ shipped from collector knives!)
I would go this route before trying to dye deltrin.
Click to expand...

Great knives at that. I still think the yeller has a little something extra. The GECs are a little better finished though.
 
Woodrow F Call said:
I'm telling ya, yellow is the classic look for a Sod Buster. ;)
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+1 :D

SoddieJr_zps7a2cdc10.jpg
 
Just my .02 cents, but I am a huge fan of the Case Sodbuster Jr. I have bought several different manufacturers versions trying to find one in something other than "plastic" yellow or black. Not satisfied. Get the Yellow, use it, it will grow on you. Anything else is really just an imitation.Flattering, but not a Case.
 
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