Who can dye G-10 scales for me?

S

sharkattacksw

Joined
Aug 4, 2008
Messages
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I'm interested in having some G-10 scales dyed for me. I've never done t before and don't want to mess it up. The scales in question are from a Spyderco Dragonfly. Currently they are foliage green, but I'd like them to be dyed black.

Thanks!
 
Just get some black RIT dye and soak it.

Youtube has lots of vids showing how.
 
Yep.
Small saucepan with RIT and some water, cook 'em for a few hours and you're good to go.
 
You shouldnt even need that long.

-Buy RIT dye, powdered or liquid (I have used both successfully).
-add the dye to water or water/vinegar mix in a small pot.
-a bent metal hanger can be used to make the hool to suspend the scales by placing a metal spoon across the opening of the pot.
-do not let the scales rest on the bottom of the pot, just in the liquid.
-bring dye to a simmer and put scales into the dye, let simmersed for 30-45 mins.
-remove scales and rinse/wipe under cold water until no dye leeches out, dry and check coloration.
-repeat if necessary.
-reassemble knife, insert into pocket and rede the slabs when needed, you should get at least 4 months of edc out of the dye (it will wear on the corners lightly).

Good luck and post photos when done.
 
Disassembly is best but not necessary. But you can't leave the pot on the heat if you don't disassemble.

Slight mod to NJBillK's recipe ...
- Wear nylon/rubber gloves so not to dye your hands
- Wash the G10 scales with dishwashing soap to remove dirt and oil
- Get a small ~2qt saucepan
- Add 1qt of water
- Add 1/4 cup of white vinegar
- Add 1pkg RIT Black dye
- Stir to mix well until dye is completely dissolved
- Bring to a boil, stirring occassionally
- !!! Remove pan from heat!!!
- Open knife half way (90°) to use blade as a handle
- Submerge G10 into dye but keep most of the blade out
- Soak for 5~10 minutes, occassionally slowly swishing knife side-to-side
- Check darkness level of G10, soak longer if necessary
- If it takes much longer, remove knife, reheat to a boil
- When dark enough, remove knife and rinse well
- Thoroughly dry knife, use a hair blower drier if needed
- Add a drop of oil to pivot
 
Go to the Dollar Store and buy a pan
and viniger.
Wal-Mart for Rit dye
Followed by YouTube.


Done.
 
Boiling heat should not hurt any part of the knife, unless the scales are glued on.
After the knife is finished, rinsed and dried- be sure to spray it with WD 40 or oil it to remove water from internal parts.
 
Thanks for all of the help guys. How permanent is the dye? This knife will be carried in a somewhat regular basis. Hopefully the dye job will last a long time. Also, should I be worried about it marking my pants?
 
Caution - it's not the boiling water that's the danger. It's the super hot burner in direct contact with bottom of the pan that blade steel should not come in contact with.

G10 is chemical resistive. The dye will not be permanent. As NJBillK noted, he gets about 4 months before it starts fading.

If you rinse it thoroughly, it shouldn't rub off on your pants. After rinsing and drying thoroughly, try wiping it with a white towel to see if it rubs off.
 
sharkattacksw said:
Thanks for all of the help guys. How permanent is the dye? This knife will be carried in a somewhat regular basis. Hopefully the dye job will last a long time. Also, should I be worried about it marking my pants?
Click to expand...

I would get about 3-4 months of daily carry and it only would wear on the corners, the flats were fine.

Once you run it under water and wash it once or twice and it runs clear, it shouldn't bleed any further.

Use wd-40 to displace the water in the pivot and then once that is allowed to dry/evaporate, lube the knife and put it into use.
 
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