Almite Question

[Dave Fulton]

Does anyone know what affect engraving would have on the almite finish? Would it damage the finish?

Thanks!

Dave.

 

[Shmackey]

And what is almite, anyway?

 

[dePaul]

Originally posted by Shmackey
And what is almite, anyway?

This is what the Spydie home site has on the theme:
Almite is a microscopically thin coating which, when adhered to aluminum, provides scratch resistance and can be tinted into most any color.

 

[dePaul]

Originally posted by Dave Fulton
Does anyone know what affect engraving would have on the almite finish? Would it damage the finish?

Thanks!

Dave.

It would most certainly damage the coating causing the light gray aluminum core to appear. After some time (exposed to humidity and oxygene), aluminum will turn slightly darker. I am not sure if it would be possible to "fill" the engraving with some type of protection.

 

[Mundele]

If I understand correctly, Almite is a type of anodized finish. When bare aluminum reacts with the oxygen in the air, aluminum oxide is formed. (i.e. it 'rusts' except that the aluminum oxide forms a hard outer coating instead of a crumbly flaky one like rust) Aluminum is anodized by placing the piece of aluminum to be coated on an electrode in a bath of liquid containing a dye. The part to be coated is the Anode (thus the term anodized). Electrical charge is passed through the bath. This forces the aluminum to 'oxidize' on the surface. When this is done in a bath containing dye, some of the dye is trapped between the aluminum oxide molecules, giving the metal a nice color.

My chemistry is a bit rusty, so correct me if I am wrong on any of this.

--Matt

 

[Dave Fulton]

The reason I'm asking is because I was thinking that a metal handled spydie with an engraved inscription would make a nice anniversary present ... for me from my wife.

Any how, I was thinking about an Almite Navigator, but I want to be sure that I won't be ruining the knife by engraving it after the almite has been applied.

Any thoughts on the affect? Should I go for something like a SS handled Dragon-Fly, Toad or Co-Pilot rather than risk engraving the almite handle?

TIA.

Dave.

 

[Mundele]

Personally I think it would look great. I posted this same question on the forum at www.spyderco.com and Sal said they engraved some Lum Chinese folders for a local organization.

Here's Sal's quote on the other forum...

"On the lazer engvraver, the lazer removes the almite and leaves aluminum underneath. It's more of a dull aluminum finish. It looked ok, we did some Lum Chinese folders for a local organization."

It'd be worth a try. You may want to try to find one of the non-slotted almite navigators (discontinued I think) because a slotted one may not give you enough surface area for the engraving.

--Matt