izula & bk13 micarta scales dyed with black rit fabric dye.

[JV3]

just got my new izula with scales yesterday and the scales for my bk13 today. these are my edc blades so can't risk the chance of one of them getting tossed in the laundry and bleeding all over my clothes so i used rit this time. yes, unlike my esee-3, 4, 5, junglas, and lite machete scales, these scales escaped the sharpie...oh, the horror! yes, i'm looking at you adaman04

...anyway, some quick size comparison.

the flash shows them lighter than they really are although the izula scales are really deep black compared to the bk13's "lighter" black. no two micartas are the same obviously so they will have different absorption capabilities.

one thing to note though is pay attention if your scales have a glued-on liner (like the izula). if it does, make sure the solution isn't too hot or you might damage the glue. if it's the same glue they use in the fire kit then it has a low tolerance for heat (that's another post but i replaced the ferro rod with a misch metal).

oh, and make sure you use a stainless steel pot and tongs. also, toss the solution in the backyard drain hole or something and not in your kitchen sink. rit dye will stain stuff very easily!

i don't know how you guys use your knives with bare handles or even with cord wrap. the scales are a night and day difference!

 

[333rm]

I've never seen micarta handles for the BK-11, where do you pick them up?

 

[alsj727]

You did a great job dying those scales. Sorry but I like them their natural color. Hope they don't run on you:thumbdn:

 

[JV3]

I've never seen micarta handles for the BK-11, where do you pick them up?

i bought it from ridgeknifeshop.com. tomarskabars.com also stocks them.

You did a great job dying those scales. Sorry but I like them their natural color. Hope they don't run on you:thumbdn:

it's a sickness, i tell yah! i wish i didn't like black, especially black cars...oh, the swirlmarks! :grumpy:

 

[eloreno]

a sickness, i tell yah! i wish i didn't like black, especially black cars...oh, the swirlmarks! :grumpy:

I got that same problem:grumpy:

 

[Stump_250]

Looks great!

 

[mainewoods]

Will the Dye come off? I've tried dyes before,NO luck!

 

[PayetteRucker]

GREAT comparison shot, and if they both wear well, will look awesome.

 

[clintzero]

That looks great! Be sure to let us know if the dye rubs off on your hands or anything like that because, after seeing this, I'm pretty interested in getting some scales for my Izula (and maybe a Becker Necker while I'm at it).

 

[nc527]

I think mrs. shotty needs some orange rit dyed izula scales.

 

[MikeyJ]

Great idea. I've used RIT to dye clothing, but wouldn't have thought to use to dye micarta scales. Looks great, man...Bravo!

 

[Psychopomp]

I've been using my black Rit dyed Izula for a few weeks now. No fading or leeching yet and it's been used wet.

 

[JV3]

thanks, guys!

Will the Dye come off? I've tried dyes before,NO luck!

That looks great! Be sure to let us know if the dye rubs off on your hands or anything like that because, after seeing this, I'm pretty interested in getting some scales for my Izula (and maybe a Becker Necker while I'm at it).

no. rit dye is used for clothes so it's designed to stick and last. i dyed a bunch of socks black months ago and been through numerous wash cycles and it still has yet to fade.

good thing with experimenting with the izula scales though is replacements are available & cheap. even better, grab a pair of old socks and dye that first.

GREAT comparison shot, and if they both wear well, will look awesome.

thanks. i can't wait for their love child to be released!

I think mrs. shotty needs some orange rit dyed izula scales.

orange? which one?

Great idea. I've used RIT to dye clothing, but wouldn't have thought to use to dye micarta scales. Looks great, man...Bravo!

thanks! i can't take credit for it though. the ar15.com guys have been using rit to dye pmags for awhile now.

this shows how deep it penetrates the pmag plastic so i figured micarta is much more porous (soaks up sharpie ink and unfortunately stink very well) than it so it should work.

i did try rit with the brown esee-3 sheath & boot clip - no dice, so it doesn't work with all plastics.

I've been using my black Rit dyed Izula for a few weeks now. No fading or leeching yet and it's been used wet.

that's good to know.

 

[Knife Crazied]

Thanks a lot! Now I wanna buy some scales and dye them half orange and half lime green.

 

[carspidey]

that's cool!!! i wanted to do the same on my esee 3... but not just yet...

 

[JV3]

Thanks a lot! Now I wanna buy some scales and dye them half orange and half lime green.

that's cool!!! i wanted to do the same on my esee 3... but not just yet...

 

[Stump_250]

Those mags look awesome! How would you put it on there? Q-tip or what...?

 

[JV3]

Those mags look awesome! How would you put it on there? Q-tip or what...?

they used a dark earth colored pmag (since the black won't show lighter colors) and used duct tape to mask off areas. you have to bring rit dye to a near boil, simmer it and dunk the stuff you want to dye so the shape will only be as precise as the masking material you're using.

there are companies though that do water dipping methods for more precise lines like the digital camo look.

 

[gundude73]

the black looks nice, it would be cool to see what other colors the micarta takes.

 

[adaman04]

I'm probably the one that gives you the most crap about the Sharpie scales, but I really like how those turned out with the Rit. Looks good man! Let us know how the wear, etc goes. Go soak em in some water and see what happens.