Glow in the Dark?

Fozzy

Fozzy

Joined
Nov 1, 1999
Messages
223
I have a Wichard rigging knife that I use on my boat. The plastic handle 'glows in the dark.' I also have a dive light with a 'glow in the dark' housing. As dopey as it sounds, the soft glow is surprisingly helpful for locating these items in the dark. OK, OK, I know how that sounds. But remember, there are times, expecially on the water that you want to maintain your night vision. Sal, have you ever considered a photoluminescent handle for any of the zytel (Endura, Delica, Rescue) folders? If I remember correctly, wasn't the Military at one point supposed to have a tritium insert? Just a post-Hallowe'en question.

Ben

P.S. I know Sal is thinking: "Another SKU, Another SKU...

[This message has been edited by Fozzy (edited 17 November 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Fozzy (edited 18 November 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Fozzy (edited 18 November 1999).]
 
That does not sound dopey. Actually it is a fine idea.
Sal, a 50/50 Delica, Endura or Rescue that can be seen at night??

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Bill
Salem Virginia


[This message has been edited by highrent1 (edited 18 November 1999).]
 
Yes! Something that I have wanted for some time...

How many times have I set down one of my tactical folders in basic black and had a hell of time finding it again. In a few cases had to wait until morning.

Sal, this would be a BIG improvement...

------------------
"Women bring life into the world
and much death, for they sway the
destinies of men." -Anneas
 
Ben - Good memory! the tritium became too much hassle & cost. Your idea is sound. I'll throw it at the R&D team and see what we can come up with.

sal
 
Tritium is neat stuff. For the non-firearms forumites, tritium is used to make self-luminous firearm sights. It doesn't require exposure to light to glow. That's because it's radioactive. If I remember correctly, you need all kinds of permits to use tritium in manufacturing including one from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission if I'm not mistaken. Waaay too much aggravation!

Ben
 
Ben - correct on the licensing requirements. We had excelleng mfg capabilities in So Afica, but it is very difficult to get legal here.

I would like to consider the opportunity to add a glow in the dark feature, even as an accessory that could be added to any Spyderco (or perhaps even other knives).

What could we use and where would you recommend putting it?

sal
 
The only things I can think would be to add a kind of luminescent 'fob' attached by a lanyard to the knife. Or to add some kind of attachment to the clip. Every other option I come up with would involve an inlay of some type.

My strongest feeling is that the polymer handles of some or all of the models now using them could simply be (Injection?) molded in a light colored zytel with luminescent pigment- Pretty much what you've done with the orange Rescue handles and the pink Delica/Cricket handles. (Very cool, BTW.) Not being an engineer I really don't know what this would entail but I like the idea of an integral, OEM, completely luminescent handle over an accessory.

The Wichard rigging knife I have has a pretty tough handle. It glows softly for several hours after minmal exposure to light. It's only drawback is that it isn't a Spyderco!

Ben
 
A glowing Spydey Spyder fob could be an option. Spyder-Man would think it's cool
smile.gif


Chi
 
Random Ideas:

How about a plug that could be press fit into the lanyard hole of the knife and would be visible from either side. It could be made with a Loop of metal on the outside that connects one side to the other so a lanyard could still be attached.

Might be able to come up with something like one of the plastic wire ties that could be threaded through the lanyard hole, or the blade hole.

Would it be possible to construct a lanyard fob that had enough buoyancy to stay afloat if the knife were dropped in the water?
 
How about a tritium-lit "bug" that attaches to the pocket clip? It would put the radiation on the side opposite the owner's body. This, of course, is not for people who hate conspicuous pocket clips.

And it would only work for finding the knife it it lands clip-side-up.


------------------
- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
I think it would be really cool to have the entire handle glow-in-the-dark. Maybe the Delica--I'd love that!
Dan
 
You could always buy the glow-in-the-dark paint they make for poor man night sights. Paint alittle on both sides of your knife. Zap with a light, and it glows for awhile.


Blades
 
I did a few non-scientific experiments- What I found is that anything smaller than approximately the size of a quarter gets difficult to find in low/no light situation. This is assuming that one's eyes have not fully adjusted to darkness. (40 minutes to an hour for most folks.) This makes me think that maybe some kind of fob, maybe between the size of a quarter and a half dollar, volcano grip finish, (Or lightweight Calypso finish?) and about the same thickness as the knife would work as a retro-fit. Minimal R&D time, simple mold, and according to an engineer friend, simply a matter of adding the self luminous pigment to the zytel. This could also be configured as a key ring as an accessory and/or a promo item.

I've used the luminous paint before. Not a bad solution except it doesn't adhere very well and it's light gathering/radiating properties don't seem to be all that good.

Tritium is, in a lot of ways a very good way to go. Bright and long lasting, It has shown it's durability in firearms sights for many years. The problems arise in the licensing and radioactivity related to both manufacturing and carrying. In order to keep tritium close to the human body in pistol sights, the amount of tritium is kept very small and is encapsulated in saphire (Like a quality watch crystal) and surrounded from all angles except the viewing angle by steel. This limits the field of view. Also, the small size would make the item difficult to find from any distance.

All this being said, I'd still be leaning toward making the entire knife handle with the luminous zytel. After some thought, I'd suggest either the small Rescue or or the Delica. Maybe the Ladybug or Ladybug II. (How 'bout the Ladybug II in orange? -Baby Rescue.)

Enough from me!

Ben

[This message has been edited by Fozzy (edited 21 November 1999).]
 
My vote goes for a glow in the dark dragonfly or calypso jr lightweight. Even a light reflecting surface instead of light producing would be cool. I've seen many people wrap the highly reflective tape around thier mag lights and it makes a world of difference when trying to find it. A reflective clip would be easy for people to replace and they could use it on many of thier knives.

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Brent

Playing with sharp toys for sharp boys... uh, and girls I guess?
 
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