Kershaw Titanium Rainbow Durability

Que

Que

Joined
Dec 7, 2009
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I have been considering picking up a Kershaw with the Titanium Rainbow finish, probably the Leek. While I'm considering getting one just to have, and maybe for occasional carry, I'm curious as to how durable the finish would be, basically as in carry as a gentlemen's knife. It would only see very light use, but I really don't want a safe queen, on that will look like crap down the road with use. Any experiences?
 
Sorry, I don't know the answer to your question. The General forum may be a better place to post your question. If you don't get an answer here try re-posting it over there.
 
My wife's EDC - literally, EDC - is a Rainbow Chive - her constant accompaniment for 5+ years. I paid someone to sharpen it once - then, when I got a Sharpmaker several years ago, I touched it up. She is a pre-school teacher and uses it everyday, from opening lunch packs to mail to packages of office supplies. The very point has a mar on one side, other than that, I have to put some strong & clean reading glasses on to see any even fine scratches. I would say that Rainbow finish holds up quite well.

Stainz

PS I gave my commercial pilot son a Rainbow Leek at the same time - he lost it fairly quickly.
 
Thanks Stainz, that's exactly what I wanted to know.

cgmblade, you are correct, that would have been better asked in the general forum. Being new here I'm still getting a grip on what goes where. Last night I spent a good amount of time at the General Forum and it is a wealth of knowledge.

As to the rainbow Titanium, that usually isn't my style but the collector in me wants to have an example. Two of my favorite handguns come in rainbow Titanium, the SIGS 232 and 238, and every time I see one I want to run screaming :barf: I'll probably do the Chive to minimize the expenditure to satisfy my need.
 
I've seen the rainbow TiNi finishes get magnetized from time to time. Don't know why or how. They're a bit of a nuisance that way, but otherwise very pretty.

If you're only using it for vanilla knife work, so much the better, but it will wear down eventually like all finishes. I wouldn't worry; some of the well used rainbow knives I've seen are still quite pretty; the brilliance of the steel beneath the finish usually adds to the overall shiny demeanor of the knife.
 
A decent Leek example would be in Damascus - using Bear MGC/Alabama Damascus (Jacksonville, AL) Damascus blades. Mine is a keeper!

I have one Ti-bearing firearm - a S&W 296 with a Ti cylinder, shown below with a Buck 560XLT with a 420HC 110 blade & Ti handle. The Ti is too tempermental - especially in cleaning - so I won't buy another Ti-component revolver. It's better in knife handles!

IMG_0995.jpg


Stainz
 
I agree about Ti being great for knife handles. It can be an issue with hbot loads and cylinders with revolvers, but my Taurus Titanium .357 Tracker has been flawless. You do have to be careful with cleaning the front of the cylinder as removal of coatings can cause chipping.

As to the desire for a colorful knife, I just got back from picking up what may satisfy that need (being on vacation can be expensive!). At the shop where I have been cherry-picking knives that have a 25% rebate, smack dab in one of the cases that take up an entire wall was a 630 Skirmish, the one with the rainbow accents. When I've been in the shop in the past I sort of looked over it wondering what the heck it was, but being on a mission for other knives, and due to the price, I chose something else. I did the research and went back and grabbed it.
 
got a buddy who has been carrying a rainbow chive in his pocket for a couple years now...it still looks great...i have a few rainbow finish models but i haven't carried them like he does...i would say that the rainbow finish stays sharp REALLY well...
 
The finish holds up very well. I'm confused a little by some of the comments. The handles on the rainbow Kershaws are not solid Ti. They are mirror polished stainless steel with a titanium-oxide finish. Add some electricity and viola....rainbow. The finish has nothing to do with the edge or how sharp it can get or stay.
 
Yep it's a coating only.

As a note for durability...

I accidentally kicked mine out of my car as I was stepping out to go shopping. The knife had gotten clipped to my seatbelt accidentally (I was wearing exercise pants) and when I released the seatbelt, it flung out and my foot kicked it. :thumbdn:Anyways, it fell from about 2 feet and then skidded about 7 feet on the pavement. I've had the knife for over a year and that's the only "scuff" that's on the knife--a tiny one near the corner of the locking side. You have to look really closely to see it.

Yeah it's durable--if it could handle that fine. Go get one already! :thumbup:
 
I would actually go so far as to say that it is nearly the strongest blade "coating" around. I have put a couple through hell and back and they still look great. The beats the snot out of most of benchmades coatings and really the only other thing that I have seen that compares in durability would be kershaws DLC coating which is also very tough. The titanium oxide finish is also real nice and smooth and cuts things like cheese MUCH better than any other coating. I would not hesitate to buy another. Infact those rainbow grooves I see around look pretty interesting.
 
I actually had a rainbow Leek in hand yesterday after I did a bit more shopping after selling an unwanted rifle. The Leek seemed like "too much" rainbow for me. With extra cash after I picked up a fixed blade Resistor I bought a Blur instead. I will end up with something smaller with the rainbow, either a Scallion or Chive.

Thanks for the comments on durability. I'll have my rainbow and not worry about it.
 
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