Spyderco Forums

Greetings,
The only thing that is keeping me from buying the Brown Cru-wear is that I can't stand the color of the scales. Yes, I understand the Cru-Wear is awesome, but I don't like the scales.

When I was a kid in the 1970s (9 years old), I went to the neighborhood pool. We had just come from drinking RC Colas and eating Chili dogs at a place called "LUMS," which was a hot dog chain at the time. Once I got out of the car at the pool, I made a complete b-line to the bathroom because the steamed hotdogs were making my stomach feel awful (like impending doom).
I accidentally ran straight into the women's changing area. I wasn't in just a foot. I was 3/4 in and almost to the toilet area.
I saw several women in their 70's standing there in their bras and panties. The Bras they were wearing looked exactly the same color as the scales on this knife.
The worst thing is, one of the ladies knew my grandmother and told her. LOL. Seared into my mind is a disgust for the dirty almond color of old women's' bras.

I would like to take the scales and attempt to dye them olive drab. Is this possible? WIll they take dye like G10, or is there some sort of weatherproofing rubbed into the micarta?

Edit added picture

I have no clue about the dye question, but this story is priceless.

Ahahahahah

I will forever think of this knife as being the '70s Bra knife. Thanks for that.

Personally I wouldn't even bother dying the scales, I'd just find custom scales and swap them. I'm fairly sure micarta will take dye just the same as G10, but the dye will eventually wear through and you'll have to dye it again. Redying colors other than black typically make them darker the second time around so eventually you'll end up with a shade way darker than you wanted. You might try the dye remover and start over, it seems that stuff does work pretty good and that might avoid all this.

I would also rather have an olive or even just plain old natural linen color micarta, but I also like that this knife matches the older micarta models like the Temperance. There's a heritage thing there that I really like. It'll also get better with use and wear and dirt.

Funny story you have there :), even though you are a little rough on the old women ....

But I agree with you. Never saw the attraction of Micarta, and these are worse than typical.

I'm the exception though, you can probably sell the scales on the used market for a premium, so I suggest to just swap with some custom scales.

These scales would be easily sold or traded to get some good ol plain Jane g10.

Or if you just can’t handle it, don’t buy it.

Dyeing over brown could produce some odd results, so if you do dye, check the scales frequently starting after just a minute or two. I'd also suggest sellibg these scales and finding custom ones you really like.

:D

Hahahaha! Good story.

Contact BOOMER52 on this forum or over on Blade Forums. He does good work with CNC G10.

I wonder if Putman will be making scales for the Shaman? Did a great job on the scales for the Manix! If so, the swap would be easy and you could probably make your money back.

Just oil it, it'll darken up quite a bit. It'll raise the exposed material as well making it grippier. I got an Esee CM6 that the scales were just about a sand color, super light. Sprayed some RemOil all over it and let it soak in, wiped it down and now its a dark, earthy brown/green. Hasn't changed much since, I may wipe it down again soon though.

I'm looking forward to it darkening from use. Still, I'm modeling some shaman scales and I'd like to get an OD Green canvas Micarta set made too.

TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 10, 2019 7:06 am

I wonder if Putman will be making scales for the Shaman? Did a great job on the scales for the Manix! If so, the swap would be easy and you could probably make your money back.


Resized_20190918_100440.jpeg
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I bet it's just a matter of time before he makes them, especially considering the popularity of this micarta shaman. Man...still love those Manix scales!

JuPaul wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 10, 2019 7:26 am

TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 10, 2019 7:06 am

I wonder if Putman will be making scales for the Shaman? Did a great job on the scales for the Manix! If so, the swap would be easy and you could probably make your money back.


Resized_20190918_100440.jpeg
Resized_20190918_100518.jpeg
Resized_20190918_100458.jpeg

I bet it's just a matter of time before he makes them, especially considering the popularity of this micarta shaman. Man...still love those Manix scales!

I agree! I warmed up to them quickly. They look a bit darker now after carrying and using it a few times. These pics are from the day I swapped them on.

Whew! I thought the brown in the story was going to be from the chili dog :D

I would just dye it a dark chocolate brown.

legOFwhat? wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 10, 2019 7:29 am

Whew! I thought the brown in the story was going to be from the chili dog :D

Hahahaha, that would made his desire for a different color that much stronger. I could possibly get over the old ladies, but probably not a diarrhea disaster!

bearfacedkiller wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 10, 2019 7:32 am

I would just dye it a dark chocolate brown.

That'd probably turn out much better. I think green dye would end up looking like a kinda icky greenish brown.

I am adding this for visual reference.
THIS KNIFE




LOOKS LIKE THIS BRA




By the way, I am not bashing Spyderco at all. I love their products. I will buy the Shaman and 3-4 Spyderco knives every year.

When I was younger I ate at Lums in Seekonk, Massachusetts a few times so I feel your pain. No clue regarding the dye job, but you can tell a great story and the visual reference is fantastic! :D