Flame color ti scale

[Tankerwolf]

Hey all.
I recently picked up a zt 0560 and was curious about flame coloring the ti scale. Anything special I need to know about this. I did a quick google search but the info is scattered and I really didn't see what I was looking for. Does the flame coloring affect the lock bar? Ball detent? Would adding 100% O2 directly following the flame make the oxidation brighter? Any caveats other than the warranty I should know about? I assumed this would be the proper place to ask but if not please move. Thank you for any help.

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

I have been doing a lot of heat coloring as well as electrical anodizing and have a few thoughts...

- the surface finish has a lot to do with the final color and color richness or brightness, you want a lot of surface area for reflection (or is it refraction)
- clean whatever you are coloring, then clean it a few more times! I use dish soap, windex, and purified water and repeat a couple of times.

link to info http://mrtitanium.com/interference.html

You can warp the Ti by heating it unevenly, it may also just "want to" warp. Usually this isn't a huge problem but I have not heat colored a lot of folders

You may loosen or un-set the ball detent because of the heat. I doubt the lockbar will move, just don't get it red hot then bend it.


I have never experimented with O2... I think surface finish is the biggest variable.


Good luck! I use a cheap propane torch and a piece of wire to hang the knife from, it is a lot of fun. I have also used a mapp gas torch meant for lampworking, it works just the same in my experience. Remember the knife will continue to change color slightly after the heat is removed, the color is a function of heat and time.

 

[catcalls]

Ive got no experience at all with titanium, but on youtube if you search knife making Tuesday there will be nearly 50 videos of making a framelock flippernwith ti scales and some of the "anodizing" is done with a torch and he explains what all could happen, and what to look out for when heating.