RIT Dyeing G10 Black

[P_Meticulous]

I’m planning on RIT dyeing my forest green 531-1501 scales, hopefully to achieve a solid black G10 result. From what I’ve read and seen online, it doesn't look like a hard DIY to achieve at home.. Actually looks pretty easy.

Are there any negatives in RIT dyeing G10 that I’m not aware of? And do you think they will turn out completely black? Any feedback would be good, I’m planning on doing this on my next day off..

Thanks!

PM

The scales I hope to dye black:

 

[Boomer8404]

I have heard of some guys doing it on a Spyderco Facebook page I'm on. Seems like it has worked pretty well.

 

[Why Waltz]

Interested in a trade? I've got a 531 incoming in a few days and might be up for a trade for the green ones.

 

[P_Meticulous]

Interested in a trade? I've got a 531 incoming in a few days and might be up for a trade for the green ones.

I would if the regular 531 was all black to begin with, but the black/gray mix tend to come out blue-ish black when RIT dyed apparently..

I think I'm going to have a better shot at full black G10 if I use these dark green scales. Thanks though

 

[JNewell]

I've done some dyeing with RIT. Just make sure everything is really squeaky clean and you should be fine. Black on dark green should work like a charm.

 

[loonybin]

I’m planning on RIT dyeing my forest green 531-1501 scales, hopefully to achieve a solid black G10 result. From what I’ve read and seen online, it doesn't look like a hard DIY to achieve at home.. Actually looks pretty easy.

Are there any negatives in RIT dyeing G10 that I’m not aware of? And do you think they will turn out completely black? Any feedback would be good, I’m planning on doing this on my next day off..

Thanks!

PM

The key to dying G10 is to use the liquid dye. Use the entire bottle with 1qt of water and a little vinegar. Bring to a low simmer (not a full boil) and put the scales in. Check every 20 minutes or so. It could take upwards of 90 minutes or more to get them dark enough.

 

[RevDevil]

Interested in a trade? I've got a 531 incoming in a few days and might be up for a trade for the green ones.

Don't do this in discussion forums, that is what the Exchange is for. There shouldn't be any discussion about trading, buying, or selling in a manufacturers forum, unless they are the ones doing it. The rules are pretty clear on that and have been for years. A little common sense goes a long way.

 

[P_Meticulous]

The key to dying G10 is to use the liquid dye. Use the entire bottle with 1qt of water and a little vinegar. Bring to a low simmer (not a full boil) and put the scales in. Check every 20 minutes or so. It could take upwards of 90 minutes or more to get them dark enough.

Well, I’m going for it (another 25 min to go) I followed your instructions, minus the vinegar. Some people had good results without it, so we’ll see how it turns out, easy to add some if needed down the line.

1. I cleaned the scales thoroughly to rid them of palm oils and other contaminants.

2. I filled a pot with 1 quart water and the entire bottle of black RIT Dye (8 oz)

3. I brought the solution to a low simmer and dropped in the scales (attached to a bent wire hanger)

4. Set the timer for an hour to be safe..

Should be good to go, I’ve been pulling them out periodically and they look jet black

 

[P_Meticulous]

After 45 minutes of a low simmer, I took one scale out and rinsed it in the sink.. It only absorbed a little bit of dye and still looked somewhat green. I decided to turn up the heat and I threw it back in for another hour and thirty minutes.

After another hour and thirty min, I took both scales out and let them sit/absorb the black dye further. (I then proceeded to wash the pot so the wifee wouldn’t strangle me lol, good news is that all the dye comes off the SS cookware fewf! lol)

I then rinsed the scales off once more with clean water in the sink. This is where the majority of the unabsorbed dye comes off. You won’t get a good idea of the final color absorption until everything is rinsed/dried off.

BEFORE:

AFTER: (Each picture has different lighting) Definitely darker, but you can still see some dark green hues.

I’ll have to head into work soon, but wanted to ask your guys’ opinion.. Should I leave as is (blackish/OD green) or should I put them in for another two hours for a full black tomorrow?

All in all, this was an awesome experiment! I’m happy with the result either way. I dislike bright colors on knife handles (Black/Gray are my favorites). The bright forest green had to go.

This is with direct light inside the house:

Direct light on the patio:

 

[P_Meticulous]

Round two today, this time for two hours and I added a quarter cup of white vinegar, we’ll see if that makes a diff..

 

[P_Meticulous]

Final result (less green hues) I'm super happy with the outcome You just know these will look good with a satin blade.

Indoors:

 

[338375]

Those came out really nice. I hate to ruffle feathers but I think the color of green they were, isn't real appealing

 

[Why Waltz]

Those turned out nice, P.
Sorry for the Brain Fade, RevDevil.

 

[RevDevil]

Those turned out nice, P.
Sorry for the Brain Fade, RevDevil.

Not to worry, happens to all of us. Believe me.

 

[P_Meticulous]

So after everything was said and done, the final color turned out to be a dark blue ( dependent on lighting). I believe adding the white vinegar had something to do with the blue. My first round without the white vinegar, produced a grayish/black result..

I’m happy with the blue because it’s a rarity on these 53x’s and I already have my black 53x grivory hybrid, so color variation is nice within the rotation.

Would you guys go black parkerized or silver TiCN?? (I had a spare TiCN from the 940-121 in my parts box)