Titanium handles & locks

Kwon Kwang

Kwon Kwang

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Jul 7, 2013
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Simple and probably subjective question about titanium as a handle material:

What's the point?

I own two knives with titanium handles: a Spyderco Ti Military (which I bought because I was at the time under the impression that the lock would be stronger than that on the standard version) and a Cold Steel Ti-Lite (VG-1 steel and a blue anodized titanium handle just seemed like a much better deal, considering I got it for the same cost of an aluminum Ti-Lite). I don't intend to buy any more, as I just don't have a reason. It's not usually grippy, steel is still stronger and G-10 is still lighter. Yet titanium handled knives are extremely popular on knife forums, lauded as the definition of "high-end" despite certainly not being the epitome of function.

Is it a style thing? I get that they're cool, but they're not so cool that I'm willing to pay the high price for them time and again. I feel the same way about carbon fiber, for that matter.
 
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Ti is 45% the weight of steel and completely corrosion resistant by comparison. I prefer its feel compared to aluminum or stainless but I still love me some CF or G10.
 
So what you're saying your impression about Titanium is:
1) Its' stronger than G10 or aluminum.
2) It's lighter than steel.
3) and it's cool.
I think you answered your own question regarding "What's the point?" right?

Add to that the fact that it doesn't rust and is non-ferrous.
 
Yes. Steel is stronger and G10 is lighter. Osmium is harder, balsa wood is lighter. But how do the strength:weight ratios compare? How do their corrosion characteristics compare?

Plus, I personally enjoy having a variety of handle materials. I like to have several different kinds of hardwood, different synthetic polymers like acrylic and G10, bone and antlers and horns, and different kinds of metals with different finishes. Titanium, stainless steel, aluminum, copper and brass, nickel silver; they all have their own unique attributes and variety is, after all, the spice of life.
 
You know what? You're right. I'll swallow my pride and dignity and sell off all my ti frame
locks and knives with cf scales and buy a bunch of ridiculous looking Cold Steels.:thumbup:
 
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