Oxi-Clean darkened the titanium on my XM-24 today

Jensen81

Jensen81

Joined
Oct 3, 2012
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I modded my sebenza 25 a few days ago and did an Oxi-Clean treatment on the titanium scales, and clip to darken them up. It worked wonderfully and I really like the way it looks. I decided to do the same to my XM-24. It didnt come out nearly as dark as my 25 but it did make a noticeable difference. The pics dont do it any justice but check it out anyway!

Heres Before


Untitled by Jensen13304, on Flickr

Heres after


Untitled by Jensen13304, on Flickr

Heres a pic of the sebenza scales after being treated (TOP KNIFE)


Untitled by Jensen13304, on Flickr
 
LonnyRS said:
Can you describe the process for us that don't know how? I kinda like it..
Click to expand...

Yes. I disassembled the knife first. Then I cleaned the scales and clip really well with dish soap and water then rubbing alcohol. Use gloves after this so you don't get any grease from your hands on the titanium. Then put an inch of boiling water in a glass baking pan. Then add a big scoop of oxi clean and keep it agitated for about 30 min. It darkens the surface of titanium to a gunmetal gray with a hint of bronze. After the process is complete scrub with an old toothbrush and alcohol to get the residue off. Then polish with a microfiber cloth. don't know the science behind it but it works great! I had to repeat three times with the xm but only once with the crk.
 
I love it. I'm wondering what it is in the detergent that alters the surface. Wondering if there are other household chemicals that can do the same.

From the pics it looks almost like the effect ferric chloride has on stainless steel. Is it etching away the factory stonewash?

Edit- I have some ti hardware (aircraft) which is a totally different alloy than the scales used in knife making. I need to look to see if I have any OC and try it on those. Curious to see if it will have an affect.
 
When you say keep it agitated for 30 min - do you keep it on the heat/boiling? Or bring water to a boil, add oxy clean and stir to agitate for the duration?

Cool look, btw!
 
Will heat anodizing the screws on a sebenza void the warrenty? I have a starbenza and I've been wanting to give it an oxyclean finish for awhile, but I think bronzed hardware would just top it off.

On another note, how do you heat anodize the steel hardware on a gas stove. I realize that the blue flame can reach up to 3000 F and if I overheat the screws you'll get a blue - black color, not to mention weakening the steel. Do you just hold the hardware in the flame for 10 or so seconds then dunk it in windex?
 
Last edited:
Bladenoobie1 said:
Will heat anodizing the screws on a sebenza void the warrenty? I have a starbenza and I've been wanting to give it an oxyclean finish for awhile, but I think bronzed hardware would just top it off.

On another note, how do you heat anodize the steel hardware on a gas stove. I realize that the blue flame can reach up to 3000 F and if I overheat the screws you'll get a blue - black color, not to mention weakening the steel. Do you just hold the hardware in the flame for 10 or so seconds then dunk it in windex?
Click to expand...

I don't know for sure about the hardware. I've done clips and they turned out nicely just holding them over the stove flame. I worked for a certain look which came out well, but isn't durable at all. The finish scratches easily.

As for screws, I've read about using a hot plate to get the finish, but haven't come across any real instruction.
 
Do you know if I should protect the detent ball before I dip it in the oxy clean?
 
JRG1 said:
Do you know if I should protect the detent ball before I dip it in the oxy clean?
Click to expand...

I'm no expert but I've oxi'd my fare share of Ti and I never had a problem with detent balls or steel inserts left on, if it turns out you should then a little dab of finger nail polish will protect it. Someone who knows for sure should be along shortly.
 
I did an oxy clean on my starbenza a while back and did not cover the detent ball. There was no effect on the action.
 
Looks great Jensen!! You can tell better in the second pic on how dark it turned out on your XM-24.
 
Could you give me a little more info on that black handled Nyala? Never seen one with that color handles.



Jensen81 said:
I modded my sebenza 25 a few days ago and did an Oxi-Clean treatment on the titanium scales, and clip to darken them up. It worked wonderfully and I really like the way it looks. I decided to do the same to my XM-24. It didnt come out nearly as dark as my 25 but it did make a noticeable difference. The pics dont do it any justice but check it out anyway!

Heres Before


Untitled by Jensen13304, on Flickr

Heres after


Untitled by Jensen13304, on Flickr

Heres a pic of the sebenza scales after being treated (TOP KNIFE)


Untitled by Jensen13304, on Flickr
Click to expand...
 
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