I finally have my Rift colored in a great 2-tone color! I was going to make it red-black, but a couple folks said their attempt to use red dye on grey G10 ended up pink. While I support breast cancer research (it runs in my wife's family), I don't exactly think a Rift is the right knife to sport pink scales, so I switched gears to blue:







My first attempt was using some Tulip brand dye in royal blue, however, it is what's called a fiber reactive dye, as opposed to Rit dye, which is a union dye (all purpose). The results were... nonexistent. Soooo... Rit it is, in Denim Blue.

I used the entire bottle in a 2-qt sauce pan and kept it on simmer for about 90 minutes to get this color -- about twice as long as the bottle of dye suggests. It was interesting to see the progression of how the dye worked its way into the G10, which is still somewhat visible with the lighter blue in some areas.

Overall, I'm quite pleased with it!

Man, you hit out of the park Loony!...that rocks...nice job...damn...have to try and find some dye.

quote:

Originally posted by Patrick:
Man, you hit out of the park Loony!...that rocks...nice job...damn...have to try and find some dye.

By all means do so. Just make sure it's an all-purpose dye (called a union dye). Fabric reactive dyes such as Tulip and Dylon won't work.

I skipped the Red since a couple folks said it turned out pink, but I wonder if they just did the 30-45 minute soak. I wonder what color I would have ended up with if I did the full 90 minute simmer with the red dye (needed to find cherry red, not scarlet -- too orange). Also, add about a 1/4 cup of salt, which will help increase the water temp and help the dye work better.

Maybe next tax refund I'll be able to buy some scales from Benchmade so I can try the red.

Lot of variables in dye jobs.

Done only a few, but...

I've seen G10 soak it up like a sponge, with no bleed and G10 that's won't take a dye job very well at all - no matter how you cook it.

quote:

Originally posted by Rodent:
Lot of variables in dye jobs.

Done only a few, but...

I've seen G10 soak it up like a sponge, with no bleed and G10 that's won't take a dye job very well at all - no matter how you cook it.

Yeah, it seems you can have G10 made to different specs. I also have to think that the amount of time spent in the dye will have a big effect as well.

Looney great pics, iv just ordered the rift from bm so it was cool seeing what youv done with yours. Keep us posted with ur future detailing

My brother wound up dyeing his the same way and same color as yours loonybin. If he ever posts pictures, I'd just like to mention it's even better in person than the pictures suggest. Nicely done!

Cool lookin Rift. I seen Blue Denim G10 and Fibermascus and this looks very similar. I might have to try it..looks like it would blend right in to your jeans.

quote:

Originally posted by joel:
Looney great pics, iv just ordered the rift from bm so it was cool seeing what youv done with yours. Keep us posted with ur future detailing

You know, if you want to, you can try the dye technique with some Cherry Red Rit dye. I think that the person who ended up with pink-ish scales probably didn't leave them in the full-strength dye that long. I bet if they simmer for the ful 90 minutes or more that they will turn out an awesome red/black combo. If I had the money, I would buy another set of scales and do it.

quote:

Originally posted by Carson:
My brother wound up dyeing his the same way and same color as yours loonybin. If he ever posts pictures, I'd just like to mention it's even better in person than the pictures suggest. Nicely done!

Yes, it does look better in person. I think the lighting washes some of the hue out of the image. Thank you for selling me the knife that got me started on this quest.

quote:

Originally posted by K . H.:
Cool lookin Rift. I seen Blue Denim G10 and Fibermascus and this looks very similar. I might have to try it..looks like it would blend right in to your jeans.

It blends in pretty well with dark blue jeans. That wasn't my intent, but it's pretty impressive nonetheless. My older jeans that are more faded... it's quite visible.

That Blue and Black Rift looks great!