RAT Scales - changing the color

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dirtpig67

Joined
Nov 8, 2007
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Has anyone out there changed the color of scales on a RAT knife? If, so how did you do it and what were the results?

I will be getting a set of the Izula scales when released but would like to have them in a different color (emergency orange).

I know the simply answer is to simply paint them but was wondering if there was any other methods that have been used with success.
 
I've heard about dying them different colors (not painting). I'd guess this would be done by using food coloring, tea, or diluted inks (indian ink?).
 
Apparently RIT dye works on G-10 and FRN, so I'd imagine it would work on canvas micarta, which is generally more absorbent than either of the aforementioned materials :)
 
Fabric store, craft store, just about anywhere that has a substantial sewing section.
 
I've dyed G-10 in the past with some success on a ZT folder but also tried dying the linen micarta scales from a RAT and it turned them purple.

I just recently dyed the orange scales from on of my pack knives. They didn't turn black but more of a dark orange, brown, burnt umber color.

If you wanted orange izula scales I would reccommend either making your own or sending your Izula to a custom maker to have some made. I doubt paint would stick well and I think the rubberized dip would be more trouble than it would be worth.
 
The thing to remember with RIT is, You're never going to really be able to overpower the old color. You can overload the dye, but you're always going to wind up with something in the middle between the first color, and the color of the dye.
 
I'll tell you, I used liquid RIT on a tan G-10 scale from a ZT 0300 and it turned blacker than night.

I expected the same results on my forum knife but it didn't get very dark at all.

I like it though, it's a good color.
 
I would guess that the dye would wear off pretty fast. You will be dyeing only the very tips of the canvas the rest of the canvas is soaked in resin.
 
Could one bleach the original micarta so that it would take the true color of the dye? or would the bleaching compound disintegrate the micarta?
 
jnanson said:
I would guess that the dye would wear off pretty fast. You will be dyeing only the very tips of the canvas the rest of the canvas is soaked in resin.
Click to expand...

I thought the same but I dyed a few scraps of G-10 and micarta then cut them in half and the color went a good 1/8 or more into the surface.

I also carried that ZT for quite awhile and didnt have any problems.
 
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