Are Titanium textured scales a bit overrated/overpriced?

[Snapinto]

Just wondering what others thought. I have quite a bit of knives with different handle materials. Always noticed textured scales are much more highly sought after, sell out way quicker/nearly instantly on some models like AD20 and often fetch a higher price. For stuff like Strider it seems like that Double Gunner Grip has a huge upcharge compared to their smooth stuff. Those knives already have plenty of contouring and jimping though.

On some knives it just don't seem like it matters to me. I think a Hinderer XM-18 is a good example because it is contoured and has a more jimping than other knives which improves the grip + a finger guard to keep your hand off the blade. Comes with factory textured scale (G10) and I switched to smooth carbon fiber ones and it seems pretty much the same to me. It also seems faster or more convenient to remove from my pocket w/ the smooth scale.

I get some people will see a smooth scale and go "ewww..a smooth" and visually I often like how textured looks. I think it really depends on the knife and it might not always be a big improvement with some downsides (pocket shredder), wasting extra money or missing out on a good knife b/c only looking for textured ones. I do think the smooth ones should be cheaper also b/c less work put into them of course and better price for people who like them.

Side question, what are some popular American made production knives where the smooth results in a terrible grip?

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Anything that adds an extra step is going to add an extra expense. Some pure titanium handles can be slippery, but most are fine. I do find the more polished finish on the plain Jane Spartan SHF to be a little more slippery than my CRK Inkosi. The SHF has a ton of jimping but the Inkosi has that grippier standard CRK finish.

Honestly, the best feeling textured titanium that I have handled that is functional and just a bit more aesthetically pleasing is the orange peel texture that I have on one or two Kizer knives.

 

[ferider]

Ti (or smooth CF) scales on Hinderers scratch easily and badly if you actually use the knife, have to put it down on asphalt/concrete, etc.

 

[scorpnsnake]

More design efforts, machine time and consumables. You are renting time on a machine that could be making more knives for the seller. Machines, coolant, bits, space, etc are expensive for working titanium.

Just contouring titanium takes significant time and resources.

Never had a problem with PJ. Just keep in mind that I need a locked in grip, especially if there's sweat, blood or water in the equation.

 

[Snapinto]

Ti (or smooth CF) scales on Hinderers scratch easily and badly if you actually use the knife, have to put it down on asphalt/concrete, etc.

That's a great point. The CF scale I got on it seems like it'd be very vulnerable to scratches if I was less careful. I guess I'll get a micarta I like the looks of for one of them.

 

[VorpelSword]

"Over rated". or "over priced" is entirely up to you.

In my current state of mind, most Randall Made knives are b both.

In my current state of mind, The Chris Reeve lineup, engraved or not, is right on the cusp, at or near $500. Over that for a CRK and I'll pass..

Same thing goes for a William Henry: Most are over embellished ( gaudy and ostentatiously gaudy . . . .and overpriced. I did buy one on EBay. It was low key in appearance and undervalued as an estate find. . . .which brought it down below my price point resistgnce.

But all of that is just me.

In the end . . .its all up to you.

 

[jbmonkey]

"Over rated". or "over priced" is entirely up to you.

In my current state of mind, most Randall Made knives are b both.

In my current state of mind, The Chris Reeve lineup, engraved or not, is right on the cusp, at or near $500. Over that for a CRK and I'll pass..

Same thing goes for a William Henry: Most are over embellished ( gaudy and ostentatiously gaudy . . . .and overpriced. I did buy one on EBay. It was low key in appearance and undervalued as an estate find. . . .which brought it down below my price point resistgnce.

But all of that is just me.

In the end . . .its all up to you.

Randall makes titanium handled folders now?

 

[SharpBits]

OP, it seems that the real question you are asking is "Are plain Titanium scales over-priced?" I'd say yes, some makers charge too much for plain scales, but if the demand is there why change prices?

 

[calm]

The Italian makers make a huge selection of Titanium models, many reasonably priced.

The Viper shown at the bottom has Titanium and Magnacut and was below $150

 

[edgelion]

Indeed, in my opinion (you asked), titanium is both overrated and overpriced, and not just for knife scales. It's pretty cool for surgical implants and hypersonic jet hulls, but lame for jewelry and tools. I get why some love it, but after a fair few trials I am conclusively not a fan, certainly not for the cost.

To the point about smooth handles being slippery, I do find it to be a detriment regardless of material. Not a severe one, but it's enough that i prefer some form of grip enhancing feature be designed into the knife. My favorite is wood and a guard, but I get along just fine with composites and aluminum that are either textured or coated. Except carbon fiber. Maybe I'm weird, but my skin dislikes contact with the stuff. What do they call that? Sensory issues? I dunno, I can put up with a great deal of discomfort, but I'll never wear corduroy again or buy another knife with cf scales.

 

[Danke42]

Totally over priced. One; Titanium comes out of the ground, it's just lying there free, what's the deal with charging for free stuff? Two; by machining it they're removing material. So you're having to pay more for less. Would you pay extra for a pizza missing a couple slices.

Titanium is a total scam. Don't buy it!

 

[Danke42]

It's pretty cool for surgical implants

That's totally why they use it for medical implants. Bragging rights. Nothing to do with being bio-compatible so it fuses to bone and won't fall out or resistant to corroding from bodily fluids.

The snake oil salesmen over at the Titanium Marketing Board always have an excuse but it's a scam.

 

[Danke42]

Side question, what are some popular American made production knives where the smooth results in a terrible grip?

The Sebenza of course. History's greatest mistake. The Titanic of knives.

 

[SharpBits]

Beware of Big Titanium!

 

[calm]

I thought only the newer 31 was the titanic

 

[Danke42]

Everyone should send me all their Titanium knives and I"ll light em' on fire and film to show those fat cats we mean business.

 

[Danke42]

Especially those bad ol' 31s. They'll be first on the pile.

 

[Danke42]

 

[Tsujigiri]

Not worth it from a functional standpoint and I've never encountered a knife that suffered from having a smooth grip. These knives are more pocket jewelery than functional, though. The upcharge does make sense due to the manufacturing costs, though, and many companies might be undercharging for the additional work. There's a huge difference between taking one pass with a fly cutter and having to use a small ball mill to cover a complicated and intricate tool path. The less efficient the machines are (e.g., slower accel/decel rates, lower spindle rpm, control with limited processing speed), the bigger the price differential. Then you have the cost of the tooling and how quickly they wear out or break and scrap a part. Contouring can be even more costly since you need to space the tool paths tightly enough that it will look smooth. This is why the more textured/contoured knives tend to be either made in China or made in the west on higher levels of machine with automation.

 

[SharpBits]

FTR, I love titanium scales. I run a rescue for unloved titanium scaled knives, so I will take in the unloved strays. I also accept donations of cash and gold. Hiring Sarah McLachlan to sing songs about abandoned titanium knives is expensive!