Darkening titanium

Joined
Feb 18, 2016
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Trying to get frame lock scales to a dark grey color. I dont have a blasting cabinet. Tried oxiclean but didnt get the color I wanted. I read you can use heat? But would heating it and quenching In oil make the lock bar too brittle?
 
Spoke with Jessica from alpha knife supply, which is where I buy my titanium. And she said that heating it and quenching in oil will NOT make the titanium brittle or make it unusable
 
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/i-blackened-titanium-for-real-as-dark-as-zirc.1294241/
some info along these lines here... but it seems like many steps required, provide pics etc if you try it? : )

Or you could try anodizing using this chart if you like any of the colours... (but I'm guessing you wanted darker?)
F4RLUY9FUVSFZLT.LARGE.jpg
 
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Yeah I was hoping for a dark grey .I've seen used motor oil, wd40, and windex as quenchants su I just need to experiment.
 
I prefer to use electrolysis, in this way you get more uniform colors and you can control the color more easily. It's a simple method, there are many posts and videos that explain how to do it. Otherwise you can use the flame, however the titanium will form an oxide patina that is what you want. It is not necessary to cool in oil.
 
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