Breathing life into an old favorite

Bigfatts

Bigfatts

Joined
Mar 12, 2012
Messages
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So I pulled out my old Kershaw Sapphire the other day and got to looking at it. For years before I found my love for knives it was my only edc. It's still silky smooth and it's humble AUS8 still holds a great edge. The finish is worn and raggedy and the whole thing needs a good scrubbing but other than a missing frame spacer and screw it's in good physical condition. Looking for a knife to replace this one is what got me into bladery in a major way, and I'd like to bring it back to life.

So I'm thinking of polishing and flaming the handles- I seem to recall reading on one of the forums that the Sapphire had Ti handles, any truth to that? If so, is there any special trick to working with Ti? I'll replace the missing frame spacer of course, have to see if I can get one from Kershaw. Other than that I'll just clean it up, maybe repolish the blade.
 
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Yes the Sapphire had Ti. In fact there was a post just like this not that long ago, almost down to the same subject
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/955396-New-life-for-a-discontinued-Kershaw
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Buffing wheel with green compound, and alot of elbow grease Make sure the scale is completely degreased (usually by spraying with windex) and doesnt have compound left from buffing before heating the titanium.

the titanium will turn a straw color first and quickly after (if heat is still applied) the darker purples and blues will show up. That is where youll want to stop for these effects.

If you over heat the ti the colors will still be there but they will look dull and have a greyer hue instead of the vibrant colors the op got.

Quick tip: if the colors are not met the first time, this whole process can be repeated over and over until the colors you want are met.
 
You're welcome. Please post pics when you've finished. I'd love to see how it turns out even if it basically looks like the other persons.

What knives had you looked at as possible replacements or what are looking for in a knife? Lots of knowledgable people here to help... Or at least guys like me who like to think they are :)
 
Haha, you want the whole list? That was a little over a year ago and I've been through so many I probably can't remember them all. But currently I'm looking at a Tighe Breaker- a real one, not CRKT.
 
oregonknifenerd said:
Yes the Sapphire had Ti. In fact there was a post just like this not that long ago, almost down to the same subject
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/955396-New-life-for-a-discontinued-Kershaw
-----------------------------------
Buffing wheel with green compound, and alot of elbow grease Make sure the scale is completely degreased (usually by spraying with windex) and doesnt have compound left from buffing before heating the titanium.

the titanium will turn a straw color first and quickly after (if heat is still applied) the darker purples and blues will show up. That is where youll want to stop for these effects.

If you over heat the ti the colors will still be there but they will look dull and have a greyer hue instead of the vibrant colors the op got.

Quick tip: if the colors are not met the first time, this whole process can be repeated over and over until the colors you want are met.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I was about to post the link but saw you already did.:thumbup:
 
Yup did this not to long ago, was fun working with the Ti and seeing how it responses to the heat. Good luck if you give it a go, and remember to fully degrease!

If you got any question feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer them.

-sh00ter
 
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