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

JV3

JV3

Joined
Mar 17, 2010
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reposted this from the esee forum since some of you might want to know as well...

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 :D

...anyway, some quick size comparison.
izula_bk13_01.jpg


izula_bk13_02.jpg


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.
izula_bk13_03.jpg


izula_bk13_04.jpg


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).
izula_bk13_05.jpg


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!
 
very nice, is it worth it to buy the bk11 scales even though i could pretty much buy another bk11 for the same price?
 
tuffthumbz said:
very nice, is it worth it to buy the bk11 scales even though i could pretty much buy another bk11 for the same price?
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yes. i rarely used the bk11 because it wasn't very secure in my hand. doing feather sticks with it i needed to grip it extra tight. the scales makes a big difference in comfort.

buy one right now while you have the extra cash...when bladeshow hits, it's all over :D
 
JV3 said:
buy one right now while you have the extra cash...when bladeshow hits, it's all over :D
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This works on so many levels. Buy now, Boys and Girls, because — as JV3 so aptly put it — when bladeshow hits, it's all over.

Once you see the Beckerlicious stuff coming out at Blade, you won't be able to contain yourself.:D
 
JV3, or anyone else who has tried this before, I'm curious as to how permanent this is. I had always viewed micarta as either non-porous or very slightly porous. I'm curious how deeply the color has penetrated and how long it lasts. Please provide status as time passes.

Thanks

Oh, and a P.S., they look great!
 
Bridgeman said:
JV3, or anyone else who has tried this before, I'm curious as to how permanent this is. I had always viewed micarta as either non-porous or very slightly porous. I'm curious how deeply the color has penetrated and how long it lasts. Please provide status as time passes.

Thanks

Oh, and a P.S., they look great!
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thanks. i will update on longevity. as for penetration, here's a pmag dyed with rit.

pmag_rit_dye_01.jpg


pmag_rit_dye_03.jpg


micarta soaks up sharpie very well (i used sharpie on my other micarta handles) so i'd say rit penetrated it quite well, if not more so than the pmag. maybe we can get one of the knife makers to dye a scrap micarta and show us the cross section. i'm curious too but i'm not about to cut up a $15 handle anytime soon.
 
JV3 said:
micarta soaks up sharpie very well (i used sharpie on my other micarta handles) so i'd say rit penetrated it quite well, if not more so than the pmag.
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I was under the impression that the Micarta was non-porous. hmmmmm :confused:
 
Bridgeman said:
I was under the impression that the Micarta was non-porous. hmmmmm :confused:
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My understanding is that the epoxy itself is non-porous, but the fabric portion isn't. While the epoxy may penetrate the fabric to a degree, there is still enough porosity for adsorption.
 
ahhhhhh...
I figured it could travel up the fibers via surface tension.
Dang, I'm gonna get kicked off if I'm not careful. :D
 
mmm, colored scales might be fun. like, uh, purple, or orange :>

black too ;)


Bladite
 
When you dyed them what was the process you used? The same as the direction on the box? Did you let them soak longer?
 
Widerstand said:
When you dyed them what was the process you used? The same as the direction on the box? Did you let them soak longer?
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pretty much. i boiled the water then poured the dye in. didn't really measure it but i'd say roughly 3 capful of dye for every cup of water. lowered to a simmer and tossed the scales in. stirred occasionally every 15 min (i was eating dinner at the same time). about an hour later i turned the heat off and left the scales in the pot until it cooled down to room temp and i then rinsed it off with cold water.

the izula scales were really black but the becker scales weren't black enough so i repeated the process again.
 
JV3 said:
pretty much. i boiled the water then poured the dye in. didn't really measure it but i'd say roughly 3 capful of dye for every cup of water. lowered to a simmer and tossed the scales in. stirred occasionally every 15 min (i was eating dinner at the same time). about an hour later i turned the heat off and left the scales in the pot until it cooled down to room temp and i then rinsed it off with cold water.

the izula scales were really black but the becker scales weren't black enough so i repeated the process again.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips on doing this!
 
i just realized i confused bk11 with the bk13. shame on you guys for not correcting me! i've been in a fetal position muttering tweener! tweener! far too long i guess.
 
JV3 said:
i just realized i confused bk11 with the bk13. shame on you guys for not correcting me! i've been in a fetal position muttering tweener! tweener! far too long i guess.
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Soon, my son, this madness will end, and all will be right with the world...

The Tweeners will soon be here!
 
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