Anodized Titanium

Wolverine666

Wolverine666

Joined
Dec 7, 2009
Messages
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How do you feel about anodized titanium handles ?

Does it wear off ?

Do you think anodizing makes a knife look cheap/unattractive ?
 
I really like it, when it's done well.
Scott from USAmadeblade did my 3 ZTs bout a year ago. Have carried all of them plenty and they still look great!!
Joe

4b73038624f88cade99ad9ef51278363.jpg


Better pic of the 450.
7b93461334a5818a3de38ce21a6c6a00.jpg
 
Those DO look great. Very nice.

I'm about to order a Chaves Redencion 228 and was trying to decide between the blue anodized Ti handle (with milled holes) or the standard gray Ti handle (no holes). Just trying to get info/thoughts on anodizing.
 
Wolverine

Pm me your email and I can send you a pic of a wild ano job I had done.

Anodization doesn't wear off, it only comes off from scratches/scuffs in my experience
 
Most anodized knives look better in person than they do in pictures. It can be very hard to photograph the true color of an anodized knife.

Most anodized finishes are pretty durable. If you are rough on your knife then I always advise going with a lighter anodized finish. Light blue and light bronze show the least wear and honestly seem to hold up better. I still have and carry my ZT0900 that was the first knife I anodized. While you can see a little wear on it, you can not see much. Most of the time if an anodized knife looks faded it is just dirt on the handle. Clean it well with windex, let it dry and it will typically look as good as new.

Darker finishes hold up but do show scratches easier and also tend to fingerprint. We started doing a scratch finish and mixing in darker colors with lighter colors and found that this eliminates fingerprinting and seems to hold up better over time than just a darker finish.

The one other cool thing about anodized titanium is that it is easy to anodize again. Typically when you do it will look almost back to new even if it is used.

I would buy the anodized Chavez Redencion without hesitation. Regardless of which one you buy it is a 228 and an awesome knife!
 
Several blue anodized screws for my zt0562 wear off the color quicker than I would expect by just going in and out a SpydercoPack. The pivot screw is the worst. I am not sure if it is common though.

On the other hand, the screws and spacer on my Reate D stay the same color.
 
I love the ano look and feel. It could just be me, but I swear they feel slightly grippier than a non ano knife. I find the flame ano jobs don't hold up as well as those applied with electricity. Scratches that develop are just character. :smile::encouragement:
Most importantly, get one and have fun!
 
sharp_edge said:
Several blue anodized screws for my zt0562 wear off the color quicker than I would expect by just going in and out a SpydercoPack. The pivot screw is the worst. I am not sure if it is common though.

On the other hand, the screws and spacer on my Reate D stay the same color.
Click to expand...

I have not held or seen in person a Reate D. Are the screws more recessed?
 
looks so on the presentation side, which is cf (this is the version I have). On the lockside, the scale screws heads do stick out a bit. But the presence of the pocket clip certainly reduces the chance of the screws being rubbed or rubbed hard by other objects.
 
palonej said:
I really like it, when it's done well.
Scott from USAmadeblade did my 3 ZTs bout a year ago. Have carried all of them plenty and they still look great!!
Joe

4b73038624f88cade99ad9ef51278363.jpg


Better pic of the 450.
7b93461334a5818a3de38ce21a6c6a00.jpg
Click to expand...
Those look great! Any idea about how much something like that runs after-market? I just got a ZT 0562 and I'm thinking about having some work done to it.

Is there a lot of quality differences between people who do this type? Or is the anodization process and results all about the same?
 
A few 9 volt batteries and some alligator clip leads from radio shack plus a tiny bit of diet coke and you are in business.

Notice the range of colors available to you with this setup. The more batteries the hotter your "paintbrush" will become when it completes the circuit touching the target titanium. Start small. I use the metal Ferrule on a wooden paintbrush to anodize ti. Just clip the alligator to it and wet the brush in the diet coke.

https://www.nycresistor.com/2012/07/06/9-volt-battery-chain-anodizer/

Like any paint job surface preparation is key. Clean it, soap & water then alcohol and use gloves to keep fingerprints off. Then dry.

The anodization happens very quickly and is very very thin. It can be removed with metal polish and a will. So you have a second chance!

The purpose of having a multi-meter in the circuit lets you record what color you get at what voltage for future reference. Green took the highest voltage for me, using very diluted Hcl solution, above 200 volts (always direct current).
 
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I personally like anodized Ti a lot. Someone said it best above, I think it looks great when it's done right and with a tasteful color scheme.

Scott at USA Made Blade has done a great job for me thus far on my Hinderer XM's. I have the one below and a second one being done right now in a different color.

Because of the blend of color from light to dark, I don't have much of an issue with fingerprints showing up either. I carry it every day & just clean it with a little microfiber cloth every night

View attachment 675275View attachment 675276View attachment 675277View attachment 675278
 
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Wolverine666 said:
Those DO look great. Very nice.

I'm about to order a Chaves Redencion 228 and was trying to decide between the blue anodized Ti handle (with milled holes) or the standard gray Ti handle (no holes). Just trying to get info/thoughts on anodizing.
Click to expand...


Blue with holes, for sure if it were me but it's a badass knife either way
 
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My first black titanium.

The finish is pretty frickin sweet. I think the whole knife is titanium coated, maybe even the really awkward and weak clip. Pretty amazing finish. It's just so black.
 
That Spydie isn't anodized, its a black coating they used.
 
SevenOfNine said:
I personally like anodized Ti a lot. Someone said it best above, I think it looks great when it's done right and with a tasteful color scheme.

Scott at USA Made Blade has done a great job for me thus far on my Hinderer XM's. I have the one below and a second one being done right now in a different color.

Because of the blend of color from light to dark, I don't have much of an issue with fingerprints showing up either. I carry it every day & just clean it with a little microfiber cloth every night

View attachment 675275View attachment 675276View attachment 675277View attachment 675278
Click to expand...

Is this type of anodization (rainbow/color fade) done with the electric current method described previously, or do you have to use heat (a torch) to do this style?

Are there any differences in the finished product between these two methods?
 
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