RIT Dye your knife scales! Customizing your Spyderco/Benchmade FRN/G10!

I love to customize all my pocketknives. Engravings, different lanyards, and now dyeing the scales! Here I show my process with Benchmade and Spyderco. I can only vouch for RIT brand dyes... Hope this helps!

[@winchestermodel7044]

If you’ll use Rit DyeMore you’ll get better results with darker colors in less time than using the regular Rit dye shown here. This stuff here is made for fabrics.

[@albryan3716]

I did this with the tan/od green scales on my bugout and I could not be happier withcthe reulsts. I used the rit scarlet color dye for a nice dark red. Thank you for the video!

[@davidcann2405]

Thanks for the video. I just got a Delica today and didn't like the shade of purple. Just now dyed it a nice cherry red.

[@rayhancock3350]

I do this as well, but I use Rit synthetic dye. Now that I've watched your video I'd say the all purpose or synthetic works great! Couple observations, I'm glad you mentioned re-lubing your knife after this technique, because boiling hot water is sure to remove most of the lube. I enjoy disassembling my knives and dying the scales. Disassembly allows me to remove factory grease and use my own preferred lube, in my case Ballistol. Another observation, using this technique, is to hit your knife with a hair dryer to make 100% certain all water is evaporated. Even the absolute best stainless steel can corrode ;) Great video!

[@neverstoplearning2]

Thanks! That was just what I needed!. I've been wanting to try this, but the other videos I watched always take the knife apart and I'm not comfortable with that. Thanks again.

[@neverstoplearning2]

I used this method and died my scales. Since that time, I've become more comfortable taking my knife apart....no rust. No problem.

[@caldopollo1]

Thanks for the video, it worked out pretty well. I decided to disassemble the knife and do one scale slightly darker than the other... two-tone.

[@rhiaanbezuidenhout7640]

This is the easiest and most helpful dye video ever. Thank you.

[@midwest1228]

Nice.. Everyone else takes it apart..I always wondered why.. I didn't think it would stick to steel

[@ronstoolbox4106]

Disassembly to prevent corrosion on parts.

[@david_kg]

Yes. Please take it apart. It is not good to leave tiny water droplets on the internal metal.

[@littlejackalo5326]

@@david_kg it will be just fine. As long as you have a knife made of fairly stringless steel. Dry it off and put some oil and you'll be fine. Sounds like you don't really use your knives. I couldn't imagine taking my knife apart Everytime it got wet. LOL.

[@plaidjunky]

​@@littlejackalo5326 what about various acids, and sodium chloride? Could you imagine taking your knife apart then chief?

[@dkabbash]

Actually, this is a good solution for the manics. Too which you cannot take apart and does not have liners.

[@kevinfitz3721]

I wonder if you had black frn or g10 and you bleached it then dyed it if it would work but digging that green nice job

[@h4rry4x44]

Get the synthetic dye. It penetrates better than the fabric dye.

[@CL_640]

I have a black G10 handle. I would like a different color. What color could be used to get a cool color?

[@martymar1911]

Any color you can find that's darker then black.

[@Kingpinsuited00]

Wow! That first green when you took it out looked awesome! Thanks for the tutorial!

[@antigravitytea]

thinking the same thing!

[@WhstlblwrBlastingEpsteinsILK]

Great instructional video 👍👍👍 I was wondering how the scales were dyed. Amazing how fast the fur penetrated the scale material.

[@randomnico6250]

Yeah I think I'm gonna go by this method

[@irvbarth2069]

This method worked well on my Bugout.

[@TinyIslandMaine]

Any bad effects 2 years later?

[@mytopicsopinions2840]

My handle is orange what color die will “pop”on it.. im so knew to this.. because my handle is orange so whatever color I used to die will mix with the handle color to become another color??

[@shawndonovan6106]

Do you know if it would work on my 551-1 Griptilian with the gray g10 scales?

[@tghartman321]

Late reply I'm aware, but just in case, yes grey G-10 will dye nicely. The lighter the shade of grey the more intense the color will turn out. I personally use Rit Dye More, as it's specifically made to dye synthetic materials

[@rockandrollrabbit]

Is there any danger of discoloring the blade if it is non-stainless steel, e.g. M4 or the like? Thanks.

[@inductor1.77]

How does the color hold up with time? Does the original color show through with wear?

[@mytopicsopinions2840]

No

[@KingKsEDC]

Wait, you don't have to disassemble the knife?

[@DJJAW11]

... Which is better suited of the Rit dyes to uses, out of there All purpose dy,or there synthetic dye ?. (Would also sencils work, for like of names/graphics etc?).

[@rhiannonhooper]

Synthetic and heat it and add dish soap or vinegar

[@williamschisler4844]

How does this effect the bearings?

[@maninblack6606]

Yeah I would definitely take my apart or get some after market scale for them

[@terryboylstein472]

Haha yea don't do this lol. Ever

[@terryboylstein472]

Scales off. Then boil dye. Then submerge UNATTACHED scale for a minute and check. Never put your screws and locking components into dye or water and boil it lol 🙄🙈

[@baldemar2102]

How well does this work polymer lowers on guns??? Have you tied that? Ty for the video 🤙

[@38bbarnum]

What about the auto knives. Will it mess with the action?

[@TWhayne76]

I'm going to have to disagree that you don't have to take your knife apart. If you don't want your knife scales to be uniformly covered and goop up your knife go ahead. And the Dye should be the RIT DyeMore for plastics etc. Honestly taking apart the knife is not that difficult and results in a better overall color and better for all of the other parts of the knife.

[@flannigan7956]

I wondered about how controversial that claim was gonna be, taking apart is plenty easy I am just bad at putting em back together

[@martymar1911]

I second that notion. Take the 3 minutes and disassemble, if not it's going to drip die out from between the liner and scales for the next two days. More concerning though you're not going to be able to properly Lube your bearings / washers without taking it apart anyways. Unless your planning on dipping it by the blade in a bucket of wd40.

[@clonesharpshooter101]

Does anyone think I could turn my brown FRN Endura 4 handle scales into an orange color? If nothing bright, maybe an amber or rust orange?

[@chriselliott484]

I've been playing around with this it works better if you just clean your scales off before hand I've been just using soapy water and a old toothbrush

[@canIhavethishandle]

is it possible to dye a Burgundy G10 scales to Red?

[@Obliticus]

Looks pretty awesome!

[@nickmartino2839]

Hey bud!quick question for you...do you know if carbon fiber could be tinted red? The the clear epoxy portion anyway? Thanks!

[@julians2626]

If I had to guess I would say no, I don’t think due will penetrate cured epoxy, it might stain the outside of it slightly but overall I don’t think it’d work too well.

[@grizzlycountry1030]

I think it only slightly tints the scales like the benchmade 940 from smkw that had red tinted cf scales.

[@rasputinscastle]

Thanks for the video 😊

[@theotherside001]

THX!

[@chefmandoo1]

Have you dyed any orange scales ?

[@dankiller57]

The red spyderco he shows in the first part he says was orange 1:30

[@fin7945]

I am thinking about changing a waxed black micarta to vibrant green.. please advise 🙏

[@dynamicfirearmsinc432]

Love it least I could say I learned something today thank you

[@adammcguinness9950]

Im not sure about staining the metal but you’re better off disassembling your knife, scales only. I could only imagine what the inside of his knife looks like.

[@mattconklin4026]

I have a jade g10 bugout, I might go purple 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@L3giT_Hax]

Came for the dying process, stayed for the meows.

[@FLC46]

Thanks

[@bajamedic]

Pretty cool

[@Thomas-dz4eg]

Tried to dye a knife once with the scales on. Not again, under the clip and screws did not change color

[@harisyoung4110]

Dye dont stick to steel and aluminium.. it be better to disassembly the blade first before dip it..

[@littlejackalo5326]

You mean the part you'll never see? Oh no. (And he said to take the pocket clip off.)

[@Antimatter.]

I disassembled the knife also , it’s only a few screws , and a better job , I always disassemble for cleaning anyway , Your suppose to maintain 200 degrees while dying , keeping it in a stainless pot at a slow boil helps penetrate the dye deeper into the scales .

[@markburr4953]

It is BETTER to take the scales off of the knife before dying. The elephant in the room is that most people are somewhat unprepared for the "difficulty" of dealing with knife disassembly/reassembly.

[@stephenjohnson3084]

why is it better to take them off first? I want to dye my Manix 2 light weight, but it is riveted together and requires drilling out the rivets and wholes and modifying generic amazon hardware to put it back together. Most people dissasimble in tutorials so I was excited to see this guy do it without. What's the downside to assembled dyeing a knife?

[@aaronnaylor59]

Might do this to my Elmax spyderco shaman. 🤙🏽

[@thomasrobarts2399]

Won't it rust underneath the scales?

[@-humveehoove-6106]

Can you do it on a rubber handle ?

[@Sammy_Jar]

Uh no

[@yamasail]

I wonder if it works for tinting carbon fiber scales.

[@Koda716]

No carbon fiber is held together in resin which won't absorb anything

[@chriselliott484]

Doesnt that get in the axis lock and all?

[@josem7396]

What kind of red is that

[@collingriga1819]

Will the beginning color mix with the die or will the darker color overpower it? I’m wanting to dye a lighter pink scale green

[@tomihans3745]

Thx

[@ClitRinger]

Can you dye glass reinforced nylon scales?

[@bronsontew4506]

Nice! Thanks!

[@orendz7740]

Orange takes a while

[@oscarostolaza1]

Get yourself a tripod!😉

[@hikinguphigh]

Can you dye it multiple times?

[@collingriga1819]

I don’t think you can. From what I’ve read g10 has a max amount of pigment it can hold. Some people use rit dye bleach but it doesn’t really work well

[@JuicyJerm]

So how many ceramic detent balls and ceramic ball bearings did you ruin before realizing maybe disassembling is a good idea

[@grizzlycountry1030]

It won't harm ceramic so nothing is ruined.

[@bajamedic]

Some hot water isn’t going to hurt ceramic bearings.

[@harisyoung4110]

Just wonder since when benchmade and spyderco use ball bearing pivot and what model of benchmade axis lock that have a detent ball inside ?. just asking, dont get mad.

[@littlejackalo5326]

Derrrrrp. Imagine thinking dye will "rUiN" ceramic ball bearings. Hahahaha.

[@AD-yt8ik]

@@littlejackalo5326 I know right. Some people act like a knife is a firearm and that it needs to be broken down just to do something simple like get it wet lol come on people think.

[@mayanalien]

Good tutorial. Trying it out when I get the new mini bugout.

[@romanshvydkoy8589]

You have to remove the scales though. Nice to know you can do FRN as well. I will try tomorrow. Thanks.

[@Zaque-TV]

I meannn it looks pretty good lol

[@yeetbeataleet3395]

I have the exact same knife and it worked great 👍 thanks

[@alisadigout5617]

That was great , loved the video and I am subbing because it was so good thanks...

[@davidmathews2124]

Most tutorials indicate the stronger dye (Rit Dye More) as the better product to use and that it should be a hot dip (near boiling) instead of cold. And I’ve never seen anyone just dip their knife it the solution. Everyone takes the scales off first and just dips those. It’s a little weird. Just sayin’.

[@stephenjohnson3084]

Does anyone mention why it's bad to dip it assembled? I want to dye my Manix 2 light weight, but it is riveted together and requires drilling out the rivets and wholes and modifying generic amazon hardware to put it back together. Most people disassemble in tutorials so I was excited to see this guy do it without. What's the downside to assembled dyeing a knife?

[@cocabandi]

Inspiring video. Question : might one get two knives dyed with that same amount of dye?

[@littlejackalo5326]

You can dye a ton of knives with that amount of dye.

[@evile1174]

Noice!

[@zackking1995]

Anyone know if FRN is the same as benchmades glass filled nylon?

[@orendz7740]

I believe so

[@SwordChux]

FRN stands for "Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon" They're the same thing.

[@jasonmckelley9330]

Can I Dye scales that are black?

[@nolanosam]

Cmon. What do you think?

[@billbraski]

Can dye them blacker 🤣

[@CL_640]

I would think a red dye on black scales would turn the scales a better color than black. Maybe Maroon? I might try it.

[@beaurex4756]

Or you could just buy an OD green knife.

[@powers1776reset]

How clever! So, would you happen to know where I could buy some blue scales for my spyderco caribbean?? I’ll wait

[@billbraski]

Yeah.... cuz new scales cost less than 4 bucks. 🤣🤣🤣💩