Polishing titanium?

mjoury · Mar 27, 2001

I Just got a knife back that I had sent in for repair. I was told that they were unable to do anything for me which I knew might be the case when I sent it in. At any rate, the knife (a Gerber Airframe) came back with scuff marks all over the Titanium handle (not to mention a chip out of the back of the blade where it narrowed towards the tip!)

. I managed to take the chip out with my edge pro (looks as good as new -- no, I was NOT going to send it back). But I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to get the scuff marks out of the handle. This is not going to be a user knife so I want it to look as nice as possible. On a related topic, What does everyone use to polish blades? I have heard simichrome and fitz<sp?>, are these the best?

BTW, I was surprised that the handles scuffed so easily. I have been riding/racing a Ti bicycle for 10 years and I have VERY few marks on the frame.

------------------
Marwan

[This message has been edited by mjoury (edited 03-27-2001).]

Andrew McLurkin · Mar 27, 2001

Titanium can be finished in numerous ways. It can be polished, satin finished, bead blasted, etc. I would be surprised if your knife came with a polished surface finish. My guess would be a light bead blasted finish.
In any case, the trick to restoring a finish is using the same (identical) method as the manufacturer. With a satin finish that means a 220 grit finish will not match a 400 grit finish, and different blasting media at different pressures will produce different looking frosted finishes.

If you are brave you can play around until you get something that either matches or looks good to you.

[This message has been edited by Andrew McLurkin (edited 03-27-2001).]

Andrew McLurkin · Mar 27, 2001

Titanium can be finished in numerous ways. It can be polished, satin finished, bead blasted, etc. I would be surprised if your knife came with a polished surface finish. My guess would be a light bead blasted finish.
In any case, the trick to restoring a finish is using the same (identical) method as the manufacturer. With a satin finish that means a 220 grit finish will not match a 400 grit finish, and different blasting media at different pressures will produce different looking frosted finishes.

If you are brave you can play around until you get something that either matches or looks good to you.

Sorry for the double post. I had trouble submitting it.

[This message has been edited by Andrew McLurkin (edited 03-27-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Andrew McLurkin (edited 03-27-2001).]

DrRMJ · Mar 27, 2001

I've had the Ti handles on some of my knives bead blasted before and it makes the knife look as good as new. It will get all the scratches out.

mjoury · Mar 28, 2001

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by DrRMJ:
I've had the Ti handles on some of my knives bead blasted before and it makes the knife look as good as new. It will get all the scratches out. </font>

DrRMJ,

Thanks for the information. How/where do you get the bead blasting done? Send back to manufacturer (which I would rather NOT do for obvious reasons) or have some third party do it?

------------------
Marwan

K Robinson · Mar 28, 2001

If you know any knife makers or can find one in your area they may be willing to do it and it shouldent cost much if anything.
If you can not find someone in your area then contact me via E-Mail and I will do it for the cost of shipping and provided you send only the parts that need the bead blast.
Due to the different types of media avalable I will need to redo the entire area that is scratched to get a uniform finish.
I use an aluminum oxide and glass bead mix.
If you want to see what that finish looks like then visit the Emerson forums in the makers/mfg area and look for the post titled Robinson Custom Benchmade 970SBT(CQC7)
and look at the bolsters they are blasted with the mix mentioned above.

Kevin
------------------
Member--Texas Knife Makers and Collectors Association

Usual Customizer

[This message has been edited by K Robinson (edited 03-28-2001).]

mjoury · Mar 28, 2001

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by K Robinson:
If you know any knife makers or can find one in your area they may be willing to do it and it shouldent cost much if anything.
If you can not find someone in your area then contact me via E-Mail and I will do it for the cost of shipping and provided you send only the parts that need the bead blast.
Due to the different types of media avalable I will need to redo the entire area that is scratched to get a uniform finish.
I use an aluminum oxide and glass bead mix.
If you want to see what that finish looks like then visit the Emerson forums in the makers/mfg area and look for the post titled Robinson Custom Benchmade 970SBT(CQC7)
and look at the bolsters they are blasted with the mix mentioned above.

Kevin</font>

Kevin:

Thanks!! I may be getting back to you. I certainly appreciate your help!

------------------
Marwan