Aluminum question

[cutter17]

I didn't post this at the Boker site because there doesn't seem to be a lot of activity, but if that is where it needs to go, then that is where it needs to be!
My question concerns the aluminum Boker uses for it's folders, and what the difference's are in these aluminum types. It seems that a lot of good quality knives with aluminum handles use 6061 T6 aluminum. Need to add that I'm not saying the Boker knives are not good quality, just curious about the aluminum. On some of their high dollar knives I noted that Boker says the handles are constructed from AlMgSil ( aluminum, magnesium, silicon) and another one AlMg3 (aluminum and magnesium). Is there some advantage to these aluminum alloys, are the lighter or heavier than the T6 aluminum, are they stronger, are they less expensive? Just want to know as several of thier newer knives really appeal to me, especially the damascus ones, although the price doesn't appeal, and it looks like at the price they have, they would have titanium handles..well, thats another thread I guess. How about these aluminum types??

 

[Tinbasher]

Not sure what Boker uses but here is what 6061 is made from .
Alloy 6061: a magnesium-silicon alloy ( Mg 1.0%, Si 0.60%, Cu 0.25%, Cr 0.25%)

 

[mete]

The first numbers define the alloy such as 6061. The second letter and numbers define the heat treatment such as T6.The weight will all be the same. 6061, 6063 and 7075 with proper HT would all be suitable.

 

[knarfeng]

I didn't post this at the Boker site because there doesn't seem to be a lot of activity, but if that is where it needs to go, then that is where it needs to be!
My question concerns the aluminum Boker uses for it's folders, and what the difference's are in these aluminum types. It seems that a lot of good quality knives with aluminum handles use 6061 T6 aluminum. Need to add that I'm not saying the Boker knives are not good quality, just curious about the aluminum. On some of their high dollar knives I noted that Boker says the handles are constructed from AlMgSil ( aluminum, magnesium, silicon) and another one AlMg3 (aluminum and magnesium). Is there some advantage to these aluminum alloys, are the lighter or heavier than the T6 aluminum, are they stronger, are they less expensive? Just want to know as several of thier newer knives really appeal to me, especially the damascus ones, although the price doesn't appeal, and it looks like at the price they have, they would have titanium handles..well, thats another thread I guess. How about these aluminum types??

To add to mete's response, the 6000 series has very good corrosion resistance and T6 temper is extremely rigid. 6061 finds some use in aerospace.

The 6000 series of aluminum alloys, including 6061, contains Magnesium and Silicon as the primary alloying elements. (The 7000 series alloys such as 7075 also contain Magnesium but adds some Copper. The 7000 series is stronger and finds wider use in aerospace, but has less corrosion resistance because of the copper.)

I said all that to say that when Boker talks of an "AlMgSil" alloy, they are likely talking of 6061. They are just obfuscating to make it sound spiffier.