Any way to dye or color G10?

[cadjak]

I bought a knife that comes with green g10 scales (BM 755 MPR). In true knife craziness, I'm thinking of black scales on it. There are pix on the Benchmade forum of one that has been done, but I'm not certain that there really is a way to make the green scale black in any permanent way. Any suggestions? Be gentle....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/cadjak/misc%20Knives/Benchmade/SN853564.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/cadjak/misc%20Knives/Benchmade/SN853573.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/cadjak/misc%20Knives/Benchmade/755.png

[BossDog]

G10 is glass mat in epoxy resin. The resin can be dyed when it is made and that accounts for all the bright colors you see. Occasionally, you *might* find some colored glass mat but that is really rare. After it is made, it won't take any more than a surface coloring. Canvas micarta(tm) or other laminate phenolic using a linen canvas can occasionally be coaxed into absorbing oil or other darkening agent (tung oil, mineral oil, wd40).

[STR]

I've seen some posts now and then of guys that dyed their G10 handle scales. As Boss Dog said though I don't know how deep the dye goes on these type materials. I've soaked both G10 and Micarta in all manner of thinners, acetone and other things with no apparent affects even after lengthy time periods so I don't know what you can really hope to accomplish here. That Rit dye seems to get into stuff though so it may be worth a try at least. It would be interesting to soak some in that dye and cut it just to see how deep it really does go or not go.

Wish I could tell you more but thats really all I know though. ;)

STR

[Spyharpy]

I have several Spyderco knives in foliage green G-10 that I'm really not a big fan of. Was told I could dye them black so I gave it a try. Got some black RIT powder, used a half a pack in a small pot large enough to submerge both handles, warmed up the solution to a near boil and let them soak for about 45 minutes just to be sure I get good deep black dye. I made sure not to rest the handles on the bottom of the pot so they wouldn't have any chance of melting. After rinsing and drying them, I installed the handles back on. This Khukuri's handles were dyed black in mid February. I carry the knife a couple times a week and no signs of any wear to this day. Plan on dyeing several more in this manner in the near future.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s46/spyharpy/spyderco/Khukuri1.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s46/spyharpy/spyderco/Khukuri2.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s46/spyharpy/spyderco/Khukuri3.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s46/spyharpy/spyderco/Khukuri4.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s46/spyharpy/spyderco/Khukuri5.jpg

[STR]

There ya go! Thanks for your input. Guess you got my message. I figured you'd be along shortly to contribute. Much obliged. 2thumbs

STR

[marthinus]

Do you think it is possible to dye G10 different after you die it black or is it a once of?

[STR]

It may color again using that Ritt dye. The stuff gets on something and holds on I can tell ya that.

STR