do you like the look of flamed titanium?

S

Spinerazor

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Mar 30, 2012
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I decided to try flaming titanium again today on my tester knife, last time it didn't turn out so hot so i spent days sanding it off. I like how it turned out this time, i think i'll keep it for a couple days till i need to reuse the knife again for more practice. what do you guys think about the look of flamed scales in general? i'm on the fence with it, cause it looks pretty fruity sometimes, but some people who do it make it look amazing! any secret techniques out there you got to get patterns or something aside from just hanging the scale from a wire and using a torch on it?

 
I believe the more intricate patterns are done by electrical anodizing. How durable is it, does it scratch or wear very easily? I've never had one myself.
 
I'm of the same opinion that it looks cool and rather "fruity" at the same time. Some of the patterns done by (for example) TiSurvival are extraordinary. It's hard to believe that anyone can make metal look like that.
 
do you like the look of flamed titanium? Nope. Rainbow colors are for skittles and flags in wilton manors.
 
i personally think it depends on the context. looks good on some blades bad on others. incidentally, how exactly does one flame color titanium and hardware? do you just blast it with a torch or are there some tricks to it?
 
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Hadji Flip Me Over said:
I'm of the same opinion that it looks cool and rather "fruity" at the same time. Some of the patterns done by (for example) TiSurvival are extraordinary. It's hard to believe that anyone can make metal look like that.
Click to expand...

to me the rainbow colors remind me more a gas spill in a puddle of water as opposed to that of a gay pride flag
a masculine kind of rainbow if you will
 
If it is subtle, it looks good. Overdone and it can look tacky. I have found texture plays a major roll in how anodizing turns out. If the Ti is mirror smooth, the colors are going to be that loud goddy rainbow look. A bit of texture (i.e bead blast or coarse Scotchbrite) diffuses the effect a bit. I did a ZT 0551 that I am really pleased with.
ZT 0551 Heat.jpg
 
I largely don't care for it unless it's very subtle and muted, resembling the discoloration of steel after heat treatment. In which case it looks quite nice in a sort of "rough hewn" way.
 
I love the look of the flamed Ti that Strider actually does on their knives (that kind of dark, striped pattern). As for really bold, bright colors... not a fan really. I have a knife that I got similarly bright, shiny colors on from doing some heat coloring Ti myself, then took a scotch brite to it, and it now is much more subdued, with just hints of color in the right light/angle, and in the nooks and crannies, while the majority of the frame not has a dark, scotch-brite style finish. Whatever you dig though. I personally don't like the bright, shiny purples, blues, pinks, and golds, BUT if that's what you like, then its your knife, and that's what matters!
 
It depends on the application and the only one that I like so far is the spyderco fluted ti millies. And even that is a stretch for me- not so much into colorful things. I'm more of a black on black, black and grey, dark grey, off white...

Although, a splash of orange is interesting. Just never been able to hold on to it.
 
I dont know how to feel about Flamed Titanium. When it is done well, it can really make a knife 100% cooler... but if its over done, it just looks out of place.
I generally see knives as tools, and i can honestly say ive never seen a carpenter carrying a rainbow flamed hammer or saw....
HOWEVER, i just saw some insanely sick Phantom Steelworks flippers that were just sexy as hell...
 
I like heat anodised Ti because electrically anodised is too bright and even.
Flamed has more muted colours.
 
Now you just need to wear a tutu and use that knife to cut some tea sandwiches and you'll be living it up.
 
I like the very thin defined lines strider makes when flame coloring Ti, not sure how they actually do it. not really a big fan of the blotchy look.
 
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