Sharpening carbide coated titanium?

[Dirk]

I just received a titanium La Griffe. Itt has the carbide coating on the back like the BM titanium CQC-7's. The edge will cut, but it is not as sharp as I would like.

Somewhere in my hazy memory, I hade heard that this type of edge could be improved, but it isn't as straight forward as running it over a stone a few times. Is anyone out there familiar with the technique needed to improve this type of edge?

Thanks

 

[Daniel Dorn]

I'm not positive, but I think I heard that if the blade is coated on one side, then you sharpen only the other side. I'm sure there are others out there with more info than I can provide. Hope you get your answer.

Daniel D.

 

[Ed Caffrey]

Daniel is correct about sharpening only one side. The one opposite the carbide coating. Titanium does not achieve much hardness, usually no better than a 49-50 Rc. Therefore the carbide coating is carrying the load, and depending on the coating's thickness, may only handle lite duty before dulling. (carbide being the hard substance that it is, chipping at a minute level might be a better term than dulling)
http://www.mtn-webtech.com/~caffrey

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Ed Caffrey
"The Montana Bladesmith"