So I dyed my Rough Rider barlow

C

CoffeeCat2112

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So, I have this Rough Rider barlow that I recently acquired. I was curious about their white bone line, since I saw some nice pics online. While the knife itself is of the normal "good, especially for the price" RR quality, it turns out that I wasn't that enamored with the bone; it just looked kind of fakey. I figured at some point, I might try dying it.

I'm working from home today, and as I sat at lunch with my tea, an idea came to me. I looked up jamesbeat's dying tutorial, got out a small sausepan, and went to work. However, instead of dye, I used three Walmart brand green tea bags and one PG Tips bag. I let the knife simmer for 30 minutes. Below are the before and after pics. I think it turned out pretty well; the bone has a nice warm, caramel color to it now.

Before:

After:
RR_tea_dye_04-1.jpg


Before:

After:
RR_tea_dye_01-1.jpg
 
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I gave it a pretty good washing afterwards with soap and hot water, and it didn't seem to change color, so I think I'm good.

It's actually noticeably darker in real life than in the pics. For some reason, I can't get the light right to reflect that.
 
Ive toyed with the idea of dying some of my knives. I love my 2012 BF knife I just thought it could be a tad darker.
 
Blaine, that´s a great looking and unique looking RR now :) I need to ask you in some time, about the incredients you used to dye the bone - but via PM or something like that.
 
That looks great Blaine. A real nice-looking knife, you have made look even better :thumbup:

Do you think you could make tea with it?! :D
 
I have an AGRussell knife that came with smooth white bone. Lovely knife, but the bone was so perfect it almost looked fake. Now a year and a half later, it has taken on several different colors and shades. Much more subtle than your dye job (which looks outstanding, by the way) but I am really happy with the new look.

It has picked up some grey, some tans, and even a bit of amber. Whether or not those are the minerals in the bone aging out, reaction to my sweaty pockets, reaction to the change and other junk in my pocket, I don't know. Now it looks like an old gambler's knife to me and like you, I like the coloration much more than just plain white bone.

Good job!

Robert
 
Great thread! I have a Case whose color could be a bit deeper, and I was thinking of picking up white bone Rough Riders in a couple interesting patterns, to 'practice' on. I figured even if I screwed it up I'd get a perfectly usable Barlow/peanut/whatever in the bargain :)
 
I wish I could do a better job presenting it; it's close in color/tone to some of the lighter examples of their tobacco bone I've seen. You'll just have to imagine it a few shades warmer.
 
Nice job! I like this color a lot better than that plain looking white.
I've been contemplating buying a RR, but the thought goes away because I can get a nice oldie for around the same price.
 
bwperdue said:
I wish I could do a better job presenting it; it's close in color/tone to some of the lighter examples of their tobacco bone I've seen. You'll just have to imagine it a few shades warmer.
Click to expand...

I looked at your pictures with my sunglasses on, and I think I can see what you mean.
th_Cool.gif


Seriously, I like what you've done here. I woulda RIT-dyed that sucker blue, and only later considered more subtle approaches.

~ P.
 
I like the dye job. I just got a RR Barlow yesterday myself the main is very difficult to access since the secondary blade almost compleatly covers the mains nail nick I am very disappointed.
153F18EC-66E9-4894-8A72-A82CE7E49EEB-470-000000CF18401C8F_zpse8a3a648.jpg

I'm thinking about using my dremel to try to cut another nick on the other side. Either that or take it apart and just remove the secondary
 
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PaulBosley said:
I like the dye job. I just got a RR Barlow yesterday myself the main is very difficult to access since the secondary blade almost compleatly covers the mains nail nick I am very disappointed.
153F18EC-66E9-4894-8A72-A82CE7E49EEB-470-000000CF18401C8F_zpse8a3a648.jpg

I'm thinking about using my dremel to try to cut another nick on the other side. Either that or take it apart and just remove the secondary
Click to expand...

Just file the kick a little bit...it should be fine.
 
Paul and Tom,

This is actually my second go-round on this knife - I returned one for the exact same reason as what you describe. I believe if I had tried to file the kick down enough on the pen blade, its nail nick would have sunk under the edge of the scales. This one is much better.

pert,

I initially was going to use real dye when I first thought of dying it after I got it, and a bright blue did cross my mind - ha! However, when I saw what the inside of my cup looked like after a few rounds, I figured the tea might give it an antiquier look. It did, but yinz will just have to picture caramel in your head.
 
Yes that was my first thought as well but once I started looking at it closer if I lower the pen enough to gain access to the main the pen will be too low to open. But you convinced me to atleast give the easiest fix a try first. I got to fix supper then I'll head to the shop and see. Be back in a couple hours with the results
 
There are no stores close that carry RR so I got it through the mail. The dealer will happily exchange it for free if I pay the shipping both ways. I'd be better off just getting another one since the shipping was included in the price. I can not believe how little these cost. Postage both ways costs almost as much as the knife lol. Speaking of cost I always wanted to order a whole case of knives.....
 
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