Titanium Handles- Variation in Color?

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twistedLogic

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Jun 8, 2017
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I've spent quite some time looking at pictures of Chris Reeve knives, especially the Sebenza and Inkosi. I've noticed what appears to be quite a bit of variation in the color of the titanium handles. Some look very light- almost silver, while others appear quite dark. Why is this? Is it just a function of the photography? Does the color change with age/use? Have different colors/finishes been sold at different times?

Thanks!
 
A couple of Inkosi pictures for example:

chris-reeve-inkosi-2-75-frame-locking-folding-knife-s35vn-steel-30.jpg


crk-inkosi-banner-8495.jpg
 
nick800 said:
Lighting
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Ajack60 said:
Concur, it's the lighting. The ones I have are consistent in color.
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Good! It's hard to imagine that both knives in the second set of pictures have the same finish, but I guess it makes sense. I've not seen different color handles advertised (except for obviously different/unique finishes). Thanks for confirming this!

I wouldn't expect a big change due to wear/age either. I have a pair of titanium fishing pliers I've owned for years, which have been totally submerged in saltwater more times than I can count (I do a lot of surf fishing). They haven't shown much change at all over the years. I'll probably loose them now that I've jinxed them! Previous to those, I had a pair of nice aluminum fishing pliers that my wife gave me as a gift. They ended up on the bottom in less than a year!

Really loving these Chris Reeve knives now- especially the Inkosi! I do kinda wish they made a "medium" version though! Would be nice to have an option a bit larger than the small Inkosi, but the large is too big.

I'm also curious when they will start offering some of the "custom" options for the Inkosi that they currently offer for the Sebenza?
 
Don't hold your breath waiting for some of the same offerings with the Inkosi that the 21 has. Don't think it's going to happen. The unique graphics and CCG's are reserved for the 21's.
The small Sebenza is a little larger than the small Inkosi. IMO, the Ti Lock is as close to a medium CRK as you can get.
 
Sorry to disturb :)

No. It is not always lightning. They can differ:

21, Plain Titanium, Dot Matrix, 08

21, Plain Titanium, Dot Matrix, 09

21, Plain Titanium, Dot Matrix, 10

Both are new and not oiled, but different age.

The process to create this kind of surface is blasting. As far as I know kind of sand blasting. During production process they are not changing the sand/minerals each time they start with a new batch of scales. So one factor which can make a difference in the surface is how old/new the blasting material is. Also I could imagine that different batches of the blasting material can cause a slight difference in the appearance of the titanium surface.

Also titanium is reacting with is environment (I am not a chemistry expert). I can imagine that the environment the knife is stored, carried, used within can cause some difference. I am thinking about humidity. But I am not sure.
 
Ajack60 said:
Don't hold your breath waiting for some of the same offerings with the Inkosi that the 21 has. Don't think it's going to happen. The unique graphics and CCG's are reserved for the 21's...
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Seems to be the case for now. I don't know why they wouldn't offer some of those options on the Inkosi in time though. Just as easy to put a Damascus blade in an Inkosi as a Sebenza.
 
twistedLogic said:
Seems to be the case for now. I don't know why they wouldn't offer some of those options on the Inkosi in time though. Just as easy to put a Damascus blade in an Inkosi as a Sebenza.
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Absolutely, no doubt the Inkosi will be offered in Damascus, hopefully it will be soon. It took a bit before the 25 was offered in Damascus.
 
James Longstreet said:
Sorry to disturb :)

No. It is not always lightning. They can differ:

21, Plain Titanium, Dot Matrix, 08

21, Plain Titanium, Dot Matrix, 09

21, Plain Titanium, Dot Matrix, 10

Both are new and not oiled, but different age.

The process to create this kind of surface is blasting. As far as I know kind of sand blasting. During production process they are not changing the sand/minerals each time they start with a new batch of scales. So one factor which can make a difference in the surface is how old/new the blasting material is. Also I could imagine that different batches of the blasting material can cause a slight difference in the appearance of the titanium surface.

Also titanium is reacting with is environment (I am not a chemistry expert). I can imagine that the environment the knife is stored, carried, used within can cause some difference. I am thinking about humidity. But I am not sure.
Click to expand...


I think CRK changed something with their blast material a while back.
So, yes, in that regard the scales will be different in the older CRK's. I haven't seen a difference in color with the newer batches.
 
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