ivory FRN would be fun

[sethwm]

I’d love to be able to buy replacement scales for my FRN knives: dfly, delica, endela, etc.

If spyderco sold _only_ ivory (or bright white) scales, we could rit dye them any color we wanted. Would open up a whole new part to the hobby: changing the color on our knives.

Is this possible?

[Danke]

[Bemo]

Spyderco has done a great ivory FRN on the straight spine Stretch 2. I loved the color, but others weren't so thrilled I think. It was quickly replaced with other colors. GPKnives did a run of Native 5 lightweights in white last year (in Rex45, great steel) that seemed to take a while to sell (took RIT dye soooo well though). I like the idea of selling just a set of white FRN for the Seki line so we can dye to our liking, but I really don't see Spyderco ever doing that.

[Coastal]

This has come up before, both white-handled knives and white replacement scales. Sal was part of the conversation. Seems like Spyderco would be more open to selling white-handled knives than to selling replacement scales.

I get the impression that a number of forumites are reluctant to try RIT dying because they think it's difficult. I bet most Spyderco customers don't do it because they either like the available colors or aren't even aware it's possible. I wouldn't know about it if not for this forum.

[p_atrick]

Isn’t the high performance Delica wearing white scales?

[sethwm]

This has come up before, both white-handled knives and white replacement scales. Sal was part of the conversation. Seems like Spyderco would be more open to selling white-handled knives than to selling replacement scales.

I get the impression that a number of forumites are reluctant to try RIT dying because they think it's difficult. I bet most Spyderco customers don't do it because they either like the available colors or aren't even aware it's possible. I wouldn't know about it if not for this forum.

Rit dying is super easy and with a stainless knife you don’t even have to disassemble in my experience

[Coastal]

This has come up before, both white-handled knives and white replacement scales. Sal was part of the conversation. Seems like Spyderco would be more open to selling white-handled knives than to selling replacement scales.

I get the impression that a number of forumites are reluctant to try RIT dying because they think it's difficult. I bet most Spyderco customers don't do it because they either like the available colors or aren't even aware it's possible. I wouldn't know about it if not for this forum.

Rit dying is super easy and with a stainless knife you don’t even have to disassemble in my experience

Absolutely. I've done several with nice results. That's why I like the idea of white scales and don't understand the reluctance to try it.

[spydergoat]

This would be so great! I think even a limited run would sell fast especially to forumites. So many users like to customize their lightweight models- this would allow Spyderco to sell into this market. Seki FRN outperforms most everything else anyways. I imagine it would also generate some renewed interest in Delicas, Endelas etc. and so separately more knives would be sold to people who have a customization idea in mind. I'm just wondering if this generates enough profit to justify manufacturing scales separately which could divert from just making more knives. Maybe they could be sold as multi packs to compensate.

[z1r]

Spyderco has done a great ivory FRN on the straight spine Stretch 2. I loved the color, but others weren't so thrilled I think. It was quickly replaced with other colors. GPKnives did a run of Native 5 lightweights in white last year (in Rex45, great steel) that seemed to take a while to sell (took RIT dye soooo well though). I like the idea of selling just a set of white FRN for the Seki line so we can dye to our liking, but I really don't see Spyderco ever doing that.

So, I got three of those GPKnives N5's. I got the last on Friday and picked up some Rit dye. I've read the instructions and just wonder, they say to heat the water to 200 degrees. Does this pose any threat to the FRN? Hoping to dye this one tonight and any tips would be appreciated.

[Coastal]

So, I got three of those GPKnives N5's. I got the last on Friday and picked up some Rit dye. I've read the instructions and just wonder, they say to heat the water to 200 degrees. Does this pose any threat to the FRN? Hoping to dye this one tonight and any tips would be appreciated.

No threat at all. I just heat to boiling and then turn the heat down to simmer. I like it to be either barely bubbling, or barely not bubbling, if that makes sense.

Pro tip: FRN can go from un-dyed to dyed darker than you want, really fast! Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. I pull the knife out pretty often and rinse it to check progress.

[Bemo]

I used heated water from my goose neck kettle set at 205 degrees (it's my coffee brewing temp), no problem whats so ever. I also didn't bother taking it apart. That white dyes so fast, and a quick rinse under cold water with a blast of WD40 in the pivot area and I'll bet the whole thing didn't take 15 minutes. In fact the prep took longer. I really need to find the links on posting pictures again, mine came out a nice burgandy/maroon color. Used the Racing Red with some Graphite dye.

[cjk]

Relevant thread: viewtopic.php?t=92178

I’m quite interested in being able to buy the FRN parts for Seki knives in white separately as well.
I think it would be fun.

[sethwm]

So, I got three of those GPKnives N5's. I got the last on Friday and picked up some Rit dye. I've read the instructions and just wonder, they say to heat the water to 200 degrees. Does this pose any threat to the FRN? Hoping to dye this one tonight and any tips would be appreciated.

No threat at all. I just heat to boiling and then turn the heat down to simmer. I like it to be either barely bubbling, or barely not bubbling, if that makes sense.

Pro tip: FRN can go from un-dyed to dyed darker than you want, really fast! Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. I pull the knife out pretty often and rinse it to check progress.

I don’t think I’ve ever needed more than 30 seconds in the dye. I’d probably check every 5-10 seconds.

I follow the bottle instructions for clothe and add a little soap to the mix too. No idea if it helps.

Tips:

* Thread some floss through a screw hole to make it easy to raise/lower the scale in the dye, like a teabag.
* clean your scales first. I use soap an water and possibly rub down with rubbing alcohol if they’re dirty

[Doc Dan]

I'm a bit surprised that some enterprising company hasn't taken this on. However, I guess the cost of the moulds would be prohibitive.

[kennethsime]

I really enjoyed RIT dying my ivory FRN stretch. It was an incredibly simple process.

It would be cool if there was perhaps a regular ivory or white FRN Delica and Native available.

G-10 is a lot harder to dye. Well, harder enough that I haven’t succeeded yet, lol.

[RustyIron]

I really enjoyed RIT dying my ivory FRN stretch. It was an incredibly simple process.

Right? White would be a welcome color. Dyeing is easy, and the customer gets exactly the color she wants. I've had equally good results with both FRN, FRCP, and G10.

[bobnikon]

I really enjoyed RIT dying my ivory FRN stretch. It was an incredibly simple process.

It would be cool if there was perhaps a regular ivory or white FRN Delica and Native available.

G-10 is a lot harder to dye. Well, harder enough that I haven’t succeeded yet, lol.

G10 is quite easy.

Get Rid-Dyemore,
1 part dye
1 part vinegar
3 parts water

Lots of recipes/variations online. Heat to boiling and let it stop bubbling. Dip in the scales and watch the magic happen. Check often to make sure you don't pass the colour you want.

Cheers

[z1r]

Ok, first ever attempt at dying. Rather pleased with the results.

[Cl1ff]

I like the Ivory FRN as well.

[cabfrank]

That looks great!