Handle Dye Running Off

[mdsmith]

Hey guys. I just got my new GEC 2011 forum knife a few days ago. I noticed when cleaning it off that when I got water on the handle, some of the dye was coming off. I'm pretty sure I've heard of this happening before. My question is, do I just wash the handle off until the dye stops coming off, or do I leave it alone? Will the dye continue to come off leaving faded stops on the handle, or is this just residual dye that didn't soak into the bone? Thanks.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I think that's common with dyed bone on new knives, at least from what I've seen. More noticeable on darker shades (black/brown/red). The bone will only absorb so much of the dye, and any excess will come off, one way or another. I've noticed it when wiping down some knives with Windex, WD-40, alcohol, etc. It leaves some stains on the rag afterwards. Especially if it's jigged bone, a lot of the excess collects in the jigging recesses.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you wipe the knife down a few times, and especially if you lightly use some solvents (alcohol/WD-40), most of the excess will clean away. After that, it should be a lot more stable.

 

[Campbellclanman]

Yep...David is bang on...its just excess until it stabilises, I have had the same with a few of my knives where the Stag has been "richened" by the maker...its all good, and you wont end up with a faded scale.

 

[quattromori]

You reminded me of something...this same thing happened to a friend of mine some years ago. From that time, he took the habit of putting dyed knives in the oven when he gets them. He says it helps the dye dry faster, then one wash and the problem is solved. I don't know if this really works. Only one of my knives has dyed bone handles, and it didn't run off, so I have no clue. Still, I always found this thing kind of funny. Sounded like cooking a meringa

Fausto

 

[Campbellclanman]

You would want to be careful of what heat range though Fausto ( how are you my friend? ), I can see unnecessary cracking or overheated problems such as warpage happening the scales, I probably wouldnt do that to a nice knife, although a kinder alternative would be in the direct sun for a few days, or hot water cupboard...but I think a more efficient method would be washing.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

You reminded me of something...this same thing happened to a friend of mine some years ago. From that time, he took the habit of putting dyed knives in the oven when he gets them. He says it helps the dye dry faster, then one wash and the problem is solved. I don't know if this really works. Only one of my knives has dyed bone handles, and it didn't run off, so I have no clue. Still, I always found this thing kind of funny. Sounded like cooking a meringa

Fausto

I don't doubt this at all. I think heating it (gently) would accelerate the stabilization. Otherwise, I think time would accomplish most of the rest. I think when I noticed this most frequently, it was on new knives that I'd just unwrapped from factory packaging (even if they had been already been stored that way for a good while). So, maybe time & exposure to the air would eventually stabilize it. Like a good red wine, maybe it needs to breathe a bit first.

 

[quattromori]

You would want to be careful of what heat range though Fausto ( how are you my friend? ), I can see unnecessary cracking or overheated problems such as warpage happening the scales, I probably wouldnt do that to a nice knife, although a kinder alternative would be in the direct sun for a few days, or hot water cupboard...but I think a more efficient method would be washing.

I'm fine thanks still here to stay and wondering about my next knife (although I'm almost decided on it).
Back to topic...
Honestly, I never had this kind of issue, but the idea of putting it in the oven (around 90/100° C for some time, that's how my friend used to do) doesn't sound stupid, although it's funny to imagine myself opening my oven and checking if the knife is done
At that temperature, I'm pretty sure it would not affect the steel in any way.
Thinking about this a bit more...I guess this could be due to the fact that the factory doesn't really wait enough for the color to dry, packing it in plastic very soon (with no air exchange) thus not letting air do its job.

Fausto

 

[Bigfattyt]

I think that's common with dyed bone on new knives, at least from what I've seen. More noticeable on darker shades (black/brown/red). The bone will only absorb so much of the dye, and any excess will come off, one way or another. I've noticed it when wiping down some knives with Windex, WD-40, alcohol, etc. It leaves some stains on the rag afterwards. Especially if it's jigged bone, a lot of the excess collects in the jigging recesses.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you wipe the knife down a few times, and especially if you lightly use some solvents (alcohol/WD-40), most of the excess will clean away. After that, it should be a lot more stable.

I may have to try this on one of my knives. Does it lighten the color at all? I have a darker small scout pattern that has darker bone than the large Pioneer I carry with it. I would love to lighten the bone on the smaller a bit!

 

[FLymon]

Every knife I am going to keep and use gets thoroughly cleaned, dried, oiled, and sharpened. A good bit of the dye came off my 2011 forum knife when I "cleaned" mine. Easily the most of any knife I've done. The bone close to the bolsters is now a lighter brown and somewhat translucent. I think you would have to hold it next to one fresh out of the tube to know it wasn't as dark as it could be, and it still looks good, just noticeably lighter.

This full sunlight shot exaggerates it a bit, and in hand the bone near the bolster is a little darker, but you can still see what I mean. So don't wash it if you don't want to lose some color.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Every knife I am going to keep and use gets thoroughly cleaned, dried, oiled, and sharpened. A good bit of the dye came off my 2011 forum knife when I "cleaned" mine. Easily the most of any knife I've done. The bone close to the bolsters is now a lighter brown and somewhat translucent. I think you would have to hold it next to one fresh out of the tube to know it wasn't as dark as it could be, and it still looks good, just noticeably lighter.

This full sunlight shot exaggerates it a bit, and in hand the bone near the bolster is a little darker, but you can still see what I mean. So don't wash it if you don't want to lose some color.

Sure looks nice!!!!!!!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I may have to try this on one of my knives. Does it lighten the color at all? I have a darker small scout pattern that has darker bone than the large Pioneer I carry with it. I would love to lighten the bone on the smaller a bit!

It generally will lighten somewhat. Usually not extreme. Most of the excess dye is in the jigging, where it's usually very dark to start, and most of what comes off will be from there. If you do try wiping with some solvent, I'd do it very lightly. Just lightly moisten a rag with some WD-40, and give the scales a light wipe-down. Look at the rag to see how much is coming off, and that'll give you some idea of how much more you want to do. I'd do this just a little at a time, and give the knife a few days between these wipedowns. Any residual excess dye will have more time to stabilize, that way. I sort of prefer the WD-40 for this, because other solvents, like alcohol, will be more aggressive at removing the color, and will also strip moisture away. WD-40 is a bit gentler, and will also leave a little bit of mineral oil behind, after the solvent evaporates. I've found that leaves bone scales looking pretty good, with a little gloss to them. If it feels just a bit oily, wipe it down with a dry, clean rag.

Edit:
As I mentioned earlier, this is usually more effective on new knives, freshly unwrapped from the factory. Knives that've been allowed to air out for a while, won't give up as much of the color later. Maybe still some, just not as much.

 

[Bigfattyt]

It generally will lighten somewhat. Usually not extreme. Most of the excess dye is in the jigging, where it's usually very dark to start, and most of what comes off will be from there. If you do try wiping with some solvent, I'd do it very lightly. Just lightly moisten a rag with some WD-40, and give the scales a light wipe-down. Look at the rag to see how much is coming off, and that'll give you some idea of how much more you want to do. I'd do this just a little at a time, and give the knife a few days between these wipedowns. Any residual excess dye will have more time to stabilize, that way. I sort of prefer the WD-40 for this, because other solvents, like alcohol, will be more aggressive at removing the color, and will also strip moisture away. WD-40 is a bit gentler, and will also leave a little bit of mineral oil behind, after the solvent evaporates. I've found that leaves bone scales looking pretty good, with a little gloss to them. If it feels just a bit oily, wipe it down with a dry, clean rag.

Edit:
As I mentioned earlier, this is usually more effective on new knives, freshly unwrapped from the factory. Knives that've been allowed to air out for a while, won't give up as much of the color later. Maybe still some, just not as much.

Thanks.

The knife has been out for a month or more being carried.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

It generally will lighten somewhat. Usually not extreme. Most of the excess dye is in the jigging, where it's usually very dark to start, and most of what comes off will be from there. If you do try wiping with some solvent, I'd do it very lightly. Just lightly moisten a rag with some WD-40, and give the scales a light wipe-down. Look at the rag to see how much is coming off, and that'll give you some idea of how much more you want to do. I'd do this just a little at a time, and give the knife a few days between these wipedowns. Any residual excess dye will have more time to stabilize, that way. I sort of prefer the WD-40 for this, because other solvents, like alcohol, will be more aggressive at removing the color, and will also strip moisture away. WD-40 is a bit gentler, and will also leave a little bit of mineral oil behind, after the solvent evaporates. I've found that leaves bone scales looking pretty good, with a little gloss to them. If it feels just a bit oily, wipe it down with a dry, clean rag.

Edit:
As I mentioned earlier, this is usually more effective on new knives, freshly unwrapped from the factory. Knives that've been allowed to air out for a while, won't give up as much of the color later. Maybe still some, just not as much.

Thanks.

The knife has been out for a month or more being carried.

You might still see some dye come out, if you try it.

One thing I'd like to add to my earlier comment. An easy way to lightly test how much comes off, is to use a Q-tip with WD-40 or alcohol or whichever. Just enough to moisten the Q-tip, squeeze out any excess. Lightly rub the Q-tip into jigging recesses in the bone, to see how much of the dye still comes off. That's an ideal way to check it, without running the risk of taking too much off with a rag.