Recommendation? Preserving Anodization?

[PeteyTwoPointOne]

I have a knife with beautiful anodizing on Ti slab handles...

Any trick to adding a layer of protection for the stunning artwork while still utilizing the knife as an actual EDC user?

I realize titanium marks up easily even with a plain jane finish-- but doggone it, anodized handles seem to get scraped up when I just breathe on em.

I like natural patina that comes from usage EXCEPT on anodized handles. IMHO, it looks pretty janky when it gets all marred.

I'm not looking for indestructibility, but rather some base protection from laying it down with my keys in a valet.

 

[Chris Hickson]

I've had pretty good success with Renaissance Wax. It's designed for bare metal preservation and does a nice job of preserving color.
Of course, it can't prevent scratches... for that, you'd need a hard coating - anywhere from DIY rattle can clear epoxy to professionally applied clear Cerakote. Professional Cerakote appliers are familiar with close tolerance items like guns and knives and will likely offer the best possible option.
Speaking of tolerances, on the thicker, paint type coatings, you'll need to really watch that the coating doesn't interfere with pivot and screw counterbores.

 

[Mo2]

Just use it and get it re anodized when the time comes. Else not much else you can do. Maybe some sort of clear coat or clear enamel could work. Though I've never tried that.

 

[Wowbagger]

Yes I think the best way to go with Ti is bare metal that has been grit blasted.
Buy / wear Ti jewelry that has the ano you like but even with the clear coat the knife is going to get a bit marred. If you get a clear coat be sure you can touch up scratches your self.
There is art and there is wearable art and then there are anodized Ti knife handles.
It's a problem. Heck even oil off your skin can change the way the Ti looks.
. . . . maybe buy one to use and one to look at ?

 

[WValtakis]

Titanium oxide is more durable than you think. More than likely it's not actually scratches on your knife but rather softer metal (keys, coins, etc) rubbed off on to the anodizing. I have had success removing the foreign material with a gentle acid bath but it's not something I recommend for amateur use.

That being said, in all my years anodizing I haven't found a coating that will hold up without severely altering the color appearance (like oils do). It's just the thing you have to deal with if you like anodized titanium.

Reanodizing usually isn't too difficult though, and gives you a chance to change the coloring if your tastes have changed.

~Chip