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I'm going to try to RIT dye a PM2

B

bdmicarta

Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
6,168
I've seen people disassemble them before putting them in the dye. I'm wondering what would happen if I didn't disassemble the knife. The water should not harm the blade steel, maybe not the liners or hardware. Will the dye stain the stainless steel parts? I was thinking you could put the whole knife in the water and then just re-lube it when you take it out.

I bought a used knife on the sales forum for this project. Was not stated in the ad and I could not tell from the photos but the clip was switched to tip up. I'm not happy about this because I've read of too many people that had stripped screws. I'm afraid that the clip might not be able to be put back into its correct position. I guess I'll find out after the dye procedure.
 
I'm not sure about the answer to your question. Personally I'd disassemble it. It's not to hard and actually kinda fun.

Side note, are you trying to dye the camo scales black? If so, can you keep this thread updated (maybe some pictures too).
 
If it is black g10 don't waste your time. Black won't dye. If it is camo I have seen some cool outcomes (blue RIT dye if I remember correctly.) In terms of switching the pocket clip I would not even begin to worry about that unless it is a safe queen. Tip up is better in my opinion on the PM2 anyways.
 
bdmicarta said:
I've seen people disassemble them before putting them in the dye. I'm wondering what would happen if I didn't disassemble the knife. The water should not harm the blade steel, maybe not the liners or hardware. Will the dye stain the stainless steel parts? I was thinking you could put the whole knife in the water and then just re-lube it when you take it out.

I bought a used knife on the sales forum for this project. Was not stated in the ad and I could not tell from the photos but the clip was switched to tip up. I'm not happy about this because I've read of too many people that had stripped screws. I'm afraid that the clip might not be able to be put back into its correct position. I guess I'll find out after the dye procedure.
Click to expand...

You can only Dye to a darker color than the G10 originally started (search Blade Forums - this has been done many times and there is some good advice out there). Dying the entire knife will only result in dying the G10 (wash with soap/water when done and you should be fine).

I wouldn't worry about stripping the pocket clip screws - use good tools (I use WiHa Torx drivers - no worries about machining specs or hardness).

Enjoy your new knife.

Oh, and I'd be remiss if I didn't say that you could just carry tip-up like the rest of us do :)
 
Wharn said:
If it is black g10 don't waste your time. Black won't dye. If it is camo I have seen some cool outcomes
Click to expand...

I forgot to say but it is digicam. I've seen a lot of them turned to red and that is what I'm interested in so I'm going to try that one first.

I carry my Manix 2, Bradley Folder and Vallotton tip-up but I prefer tip down so I leave my PM2 as it came from the factory. (I do find it odd that Spyder ships the Bradley tip-up and the PM2 tip-down, when either one could be done either way.)
 
temporary setback- visited my local grocery store and my local walmart, neither had red dye. They had lots of other colors including navy blue and green, but no red. I'll have to order online.
 
I have dyed one before without taking the knife apart. Had no problems. Just dry off the knife well and re-oil afterwards.
 
I did a tan knife to jet black with Rit powder. It works well. My intentions were to mix a potent batch of dye and totally change the scales color. I would not mind doing my PM2 black but I want someone else to do one before me, I want to see how black covers the digi camo .
 
I've Rit dyed several scales (the powder definitely works best) and have both taken knives apart beforehand and just done the whole knife. That said, I have never done a Para2, but if I was to do one I would probably take it apart (though I do believe you could do it without taking it apart).

I wouldn't worry about taking the clip off & stripping a screw. I have taken more clips off of Para2s than I can count... no problem. BUT... you should just carry it tip up anyway. :D

Good luck & post pics once you're done!
 
My packet of dye came in the mail today so I tried the procedure tonight. I made a little tray out of aluminum foil, put it in my garage and poured the powder in it. I cleaned the knife with dishwasher detergent and a toothbrush, rinsed it well, then tied a piece of string through the lanyard hole of the knife. I boiled some water in the kitchen, carried it out in the garage, mixed with the powder in the tray, and put the knife in it. I took it out after 10 minutes, rinsed it off, and all of the red color came off. The knife looked almost like it was NIB. I put it back in the tray and left it for 2 hours. I took it out and rinsed it, and could barely tell that the color had changed any at all. It looks more dingy than red. What did I do wrong? Did I clean the scales with the wrong stuff? Should I mix something else with the water?

I did not disassemble the knife before the procedure, I just took the clip off. The knife still works fine.
 
You didn't boil ? maybe better simmer. , I am guessing you have to open up the pores of the g10. I have only seen this done on the stove in a small stainless sauce pan not on the garage floor with tin foil tray. I could be wrong. If I planned on doing it. I would follow the directions of someone who has already achieved success. Another thing IIRC don't let it sit directly on the bottom of the pan while simmering . the color won't be uniform and damage could occur . Obviously less important with digicam the color uniformity. . I'm sure the dye is still good. Try again. . Don't leave on the stove unattended. If all liquid evaporates . the knife will get ruined . Steel and all. Don't leave it alone. Please be safe.
Looking forward to better result. I like making knives my own.

James
 
Do a Google search: rit dye g-10 vinegar
I didn't want to post the first how-to link here for any conflict of interest that sometimes arises. The site is from a member here.
 
Thanks for the tip Barman1 . I need to get something in g10 that I will carry and try this myself. I have only seen what others have done.
To the OP follow success if your not blazing new trails.
 
Barman1 said:
Do a Google search: rit dye g-10 vinegar
I didn't want to post the first how-to link here for any conflict of interest that sometimes arises. The site is from a member here.
Click to expand...

I saved my mixed liquid so I will try some of these suggestions too. I didn't know how much heat was required, and decided I should play it safe by not boiling the dye mixture in my wife's nice cookware in our kitchen. I made the foil tray, put the powder in it, boiled the water in the kitchen, then carried it out to the garage and poured in the pan. It was pretty hot at first but cooled down after a few minutes.

I had tried searching this forum for suggestions but found way too many hits and got tired of reading through them looking for useful information.

If boiling is necessary, I can do that in my garage using my camping stove.
 
bdmicarta said:
I saved my mixed liquid so I will try some of these suggestions too. I didn't know how much heat was required, and decided I should play it safe by not boiling the dye mixture in my wife's nice cookware in our kitchen. I made the foil tray, put the powder in it, boiled the water in the kitchen, then carried it out to the garage and poured in the pan. It was pretty hot at first but cooled down after a few minutes.

I had tried searching this forum for suggestions but found way too many hits and got tired of reading through them looking for useful information.



If boiling is necessary, I can do that in my garage using my camping stove.
Click to expand...

I used this method on some bright orange scales last week and it came out just OK. Sort of a brown color using black dye, looked like oak with the texture of the micarta. Wound up not caring for it after a couple of days so I wet sanded them back down to orange. A minor pain but they're orange again.
 
After reading the suggestions and checking the links, I made another attempt today. I decided to simmer the knife in the solution for awhile so I set up my coleman camping stove in the back yard, added some vinegar to the mixture, and simmered for 15 minutes. The results were much better this time. After cleaning and drying the knife I put the clip back in its factory position, stropped the blade a bit, and it will serve EDC duties next week.

20140223-01b_zps4912d707.jpg
 
Turned out nice. I will have to follow your directions when ready. Disassembling not required . Clean knife ,1 pack of powdered dye, water quart?, add some? vinegar, simmer 15 minutes. Ok I think it really turned out good and 15 minutes isn't bad. I like the success stories.
 
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