I've had my 950SBK-1 for a couple of months now. The one thing that I've noticed is that the black G10 scales are drying out and turning to a grayish color. I've applied mineral oil once, restoring the dark black color, but they've seemed to dry out again.

This isn't causing any problems really. I still love the knife, but I'm curious if anyone else is experiencing this problem with the 950-1 as well? Thanks in advance.

I can't tell if the color's changed on my 950-1 Chang, the grooves are more charcoal than solid black but I think it came that way.

Yea, a little bit.

I wonder if it is because they are machined, or maybe stuff is collecting (like dry skin, etc...) in the grooves.

I just wet my finger and rub it seems to work.

You could lick your knife, but that is just sort of weird on a few levels...

Um, yeah. I went on errands and the scales show some light gray in the sunlight. Mineral oil and a Q-tip does help restore the darker color, but since a couple of you agree it does what it does I'm not very concerned.

I don't have one of these knives but I believe the solid black layered G10 has Bands of Dark gray...

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Joe, the q-tip was the missing part of the equation for me. I kept on trying to figure out the best way to apply mineral oil to the G10 without making a mess. I'll have to try that trick when I get more time.

Mark, I never thought of just making the G10 wet to bring out the darker color. I might try that one when I run out of mineral oil. I would lick it, but I'm afraid of the aftermath from the mineral oil that is already deposited in the scales...

The 740/745 has machined black G-10 and it never fades.
I know the 740 is smooth and 950-1 is rough.

That would support Mark's theory, but I'm not convinced that's why it fades over the entire handle and the same shade.

If it were picking up stuff from use it would have different spots where it rubs the pocket when carried or near the AXIS lock where the thumb would rub against the G-10.

I have no answers and am not saying conspiracy. Just a thought.

Why concern yourself with it?
Probably gives it more character, saves you from buying expensive aftermarket scales.
Great knife, enjoy.

I wouldn't be surprised if you were right about the rubbing Doc. The Rift sits in my pocket most of the time, but is rubbing against my jeans when I move and sit down or even it rubbing in my hands. I have seen at least one 745 that has experinced the same problem. I think Mark might be right about the G10 drying out due to the machining, but it appears that certain ones are more prone to the drying than others.

Alas, you're right archer. This slight issue will not prevent me from enjoying my Rift.

Sometimes, if you take a knife apart for cleaning, you will see a coat of oil under the g10/micarta scales. Could it be that somehow your knife skipped this treatment by mistake? Honestly, I'm not sure if that oil is put there to protect liners from rusting, or to "moisturize" the scales, or both, but I'd check on it anyways.