Taking care of an all Ti folder ??

nowhere fast

nowhere fast

Joined
Apr 12, 2000
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Hello all- I jus got a Warren Thomas folder which is all Ti (handle, blade, fittings), but I have a few questions about Ti as I want to keep it nice.
It's a bead blast and seems quite porous, and after minimal handling the handle gets sort of dirty or "shadowy" looking, what can I use to keep a protective coating on the handle that will not make the handle greasy or slippery ?
Does Ti rust ?
How about sharpening the blade ?
This folder is an absolute monster and I want to make it my daily carry, but I want to take good care of it.
What are the advantages/disadvantages of Ti over say ATS 34 or 154 CM ??
Thanks for any information, Donald
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I think that Ti is harder to sharpen and doesn't get quite as sharp, but the retention is better.
Matt
 
Ti will take a wicked edge, but it won't hold it very well. You won't have a problem with corrosion. Ti resists most chemicals very well. I had a Crawford Ti neck knife, it was one of the sharpest edges I've seen.

You are getting a little dirt and oil in the crevices of the bead blast. You should be able to clean it out with a little soap and water.

The biggest advantage of Ti over steel is it's light weight and corrosion resistance. For a user, you want steel. For a light weight emergency knife or a defensive folder, Ti will cover your bases.

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If ignorance is bliss,
why aren't more people happy?
 
If it get dirty, scrub it with a plastic brush and soap and water, wipe it and put it somewhere warm to dry. Heat up to 350 degrees should not affect it, even if it has teflon washers. It won't corrode. Or you could hose it down with WD-40, wipe and let dry.

In any case lube it after cleaning.

Hope this helps,

Steve-O
 
One advantage of Ti over steel is that it will generate virtually no eddy currents when moved in a magnetic field. Unless you are in the EOD field, this is not really relevant.

It is also corrosion resistant, nearly corrosion proof. However, do not use cadmium plated tools on Ti (the SR-71 required special tools to prevent corrosion).

Edge holding ability is sufficient for some people for some purposes, however is inferior to most steel alloys. Note that BM had to use a tantalum / tungsten carbide coating on their 970 Ti bladed folder to make edge holding acceptable, and it was just barely that. For a good review of the utility and limitations of titanium alloys, go HERE .

Note that a Ti blade of the same dimensions as a steel one will be lighter, but to be as strong, the Ti blade would have to be TWICE as large in all dimensions.

So, if you need a knife which is corrosion resistant, light weight, but not very strong, and not capable of holding an edge very well, Ti is for you. Oh, it is very expensive as well.

Walt
 
Some info that I learned the hard way;

If the Ti is Anodized don't use any kind of polishing compound to clean it (NO Flitz, Metal-Glo, Simichrome, etc). To get the dirt and Fingerprints off use either Formula 409 or Wyndex both of these will work great! Also, while I would recommend putting some Ren Wax on the Blade I would not do so on the Ti body of the knife.

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Green Acres is the Place To Be, Hard Livin is the Life For Me.
 
If its not anodized, I would just use some toothpaste and old tooth brush. Clean it of off at the end with some HOT soapy water. Let it dry and add a drop of Tuf-glide on the pivot area. Works for me.
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Ray 'md2020'

ATKI member #A001042
 
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