Sharpening 6AL4V Ti

P

Pak 21

Joined
Apr 8, 2003
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284
I have a customer that wants a titanium neck knife.
I want to know if 6AL4V Ti will work and if it will take and hold an edge.
 
It will sharpen, but won't hold long. The best Ti for edge hold is "beta-Ti" which will obtain the highest hardness. Nowhere near as good as steel, though.
 
Chuck at alphaknifesupply.com may be able to help you. Can't say for sure. It has to be heat treated properly and still is inferior to decent steel.
 
Timet manufacturing has a bunch of specs on titanium and an explanation of alpha and beta Titaium. I believe the beta group is heat treatable. 6-4Ti is classified as both. You can precipitation harden by heating to about 890 degrees F and slow cool. I believe I got a RC or about 43-45. Please check this information at the Timet web site. I don't completely trust my memory...Ed
 
Not my first mistake today! :D I thought there was another alloy better suited for blades.

Thanks for the clarification, Ed. :)
 
6-4 is one one of many heat treatable titanium alloys. There are others better than 6-4; maybe Beta C-2? Chuck Bybee has the material and information...Ed
 
I remember Chuck recommending a better choice for a blade but can't remember what for sure.

Isn't it fun getting to the point you're sure ya knew something but can't remember what it was? LOL :D
 
Beta-C gets harder than other titanium alloys. It will get to 42-45 Rockwell C.

Ed Schempp forges lots of cool titanium tools. He definitely knows what he is doing. He forged a blade from Beta-C. Nick Wheeler is finishing the knife. The forging scale from Beta-C will make you say bad words! It is ridiculously hard to grind.
 
On Chuck's advice I bought either a 36 or 60 (can't remember which. I think I went with 60?) grit ceramic 3M belt and a slow belt speed for grinding 6/4 and it was like a dream, if that helps any. Thanks, Chuck! Well worth the $5.00 or whatever the belt cost! :D
 
Thanks guys! I talked to him about it and he said it would be fine if I used a regular blade steel.
 
Thanks, Chuck. I failed to remember the "C" part; pretty critical. :(

PA21, I'm glad your customer opted for steel. Hard to get someone happy with the relatively poor edge holding of Ti if they're used to a good knife.
 
PA21, I'm glad your customer opted for steel. Hard to get someone happy with the relatively poor edge holding of Ti if they're used to a good knife.[/QUOTE]


So am I. He was thinking about the low maintenance aspect of it,but when I explained to him that it wouldn't hold an edge very well he changed his mind.
Thanks!
 
fitzo said:
Chuck at alphaknifesupply.com may be able to help you. Can't say for sure. It has to be heat treated properly and still is inferior to decent steel.
Click to expand...


It is still inferior to indecent steel :D
 
Lazarus Long said:
It is still inferior to indecent steel :D
Click to expand...
I'd rather have Beta-C that 420J2, Pakistani junk, and the lesser quality stainless steels. For specific jobs Beta-C works very well. It is non-magnetic, rustproof and will not break at low temperatures.
 
Remember that these sparks will set everything on fire.Clean the bench and area of all dust ,parer towels,and cloth before grinding.Wear a leather apron,and have an extinguisher in the shop.Hanging a very damp towel behind and below the grinder helps.
 
Chuck Bybee said:
I'd rather have Beta-C that 420J2, Pakistani junk, and the lesser quality stainless steels. For specific jobs Beta-C works very well. It is non-magnetic, rustproof and will not break at low temperatures.
Click to expand...




Good one Chuck!


Now when are you getting some .190 6-4.......Your killing me brother!
 
I'm working on it!

I have no idea where all the .187 went. It used to be everywhere, now it is all gone. It will eventually turn up again.
 
Chuck,

What sizes of Beta-C can you get? And are Ed's heat treat temps correct (thanks Ed!). I looked on Timet's site but found nothing for Beta-C.

Thanks,

John
 
So far we've found Beta-C in .020 sheet and .690 rod. I'm saving the sheet for use in Timascus.

I don't know if any titanium suppliers make Beta-C on a regular schedule. I suspect it is made to order as required. I would like to find some .125-187 sheet.
 
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