Fun with heat & 36 volts.

[Omega Leather Works]

As you may have guessed by the title I'm talking about anodizing titanium.

I was curious about how a torch versus a series of 9v batteries might produce a surface color on a piece of CP ti. I don't have an alloy like 6AL4V (except for knife frames), but I'm sure the results would be similar.

The top was done with four 9v's in series. The bottom done with a torch. I got it red hot and man does ti hold onto heat! It also radiated to the other end (well after I removed the heat source) until I couldn't hold onto any part of the plate. Pretty cool!

This side turned out well.

This side had some sharpie on it that interfered with the process.

All in all, I much prefer the electronic method.

Anyway, thought you might like to see my test.

 

[OHALLUM]

http://www.songlyrics.com/lisa-brokop/30-shades-of-blue-lyrics/

Made me think of this song! Click on link in article to hear it played. ("listen while you read" link)

Blessings,

Omar

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Nice

Funny, I've never been a fan of Country Western music. I mean, I couldn't name two bands/singers, but when it's played around me I kinda enjoy it.

Now if you tell any of my punk friends that I said that I'll deny it!

Thanks for the link.

 

[OHALLUM]

Forgot to tell you that it was a very interesting experiment. Love the dark blue from the electrical heat attack. Much darker and consistent. Would make a unique and beautiful knife frame. Do you work with things like this at your Job, or was this just something you hatched from your inquisitive mind? :encouragement:

Blessings,

Omar

 

[Omega Leather Works]

I actually have that ats-34 Benchmade that our friend from the carving knife thread sent me. It happens to be a ti liner lock knife, and since it's going to my Air Force bound daughter (she just got her job assignment btw, air traffic controler!) I figured something a little prettier than natural gray would be nice.

I need to play with the voltage to see if I can get something pink-ish.

To answer your question directly, I don't anodize at the factory, no. It's just something that I've been wanting to do for a while. If my next Sebenza wasn't a micarta inlay I might have considered doing the handles. If I can come up with something that complements the gray micarta then maybe, but it's hard to top the stock gray ti.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Went ahead and anodized the Benchmade liners. I'm really happy with the results. There is some discoloration around the steel pins, but the edges are all she'll see.

It may look uneven in spots, but that's due to the bad lighting.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Just assembled it, man it looks better than stock!

Now I just need to get more titanium. Hmm... My mattress has titanium coil springs...