titanium hype

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nephildevil

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what is the quickest way to convince a non knifenut that titanium is not a superb material to make a knife from


someone who thinks he is allways right and has some welding experience and ofcourse claims he knows alot about steels

i ended the pointless discussion with giving him a link with different blade steels and quoting to him from what it said about titanium being unable to get hardnened above 40 Hrc and only suitable for showknives

i wonder if he even knew what rockwell hardness means

damn titanium hype
 
How do you convince a hard headed fool who thinks he knows something that he doesn't, that he's wrong?

Whenever you figure that out, throw some of that wisdom in this direction.
 
OH NO!!! Not another BASH the Titanium knife Thread!!! OMGAH!!!
I LOVE my Mission knives! PERIOD!
I wish John Moore was still around to educate non-believers. GRHS.
 
I just read the entire post from the OP and I don't think titanium is "ONLY good for show knives". I disagree with that statement wholeheartedly. I do however think that many of the commons steels used today, aside from rust resistance and being non-magnetic, are far superior in most other categories that we look at for blade/edge performance.
 
Titanium is not superior to steel, it can't be. But the Beta Titanium is a great performer! Accept the Titanium knife for what it is and what it can do. Anyone who is serious about purchasing a Titanium knife, should contact Mission Knives with their questions.
 
I had some oil field guys come by a couple years ago and actually wanted all titanium folders from me with titanium blades. I made four total. Here is one I did and took some pics of. They all looked about the same. Micarta standing alone on the non lock side, and a ti lock and blade with stainless hardware, nylon washers and lots of grease in the pivot.These were knives I never put much work in and threw together pretty quick for them but they didn't care about finish much so they were shipped out relatively rough around the edges.

These chaps were more concerned with durability and rust free, and something that could survive the elements outside even if left there. As it was said to me they wanted something they could drop in the mud or snow and not have to worry with special treatment or it going to crap if they washed it off in a puddle and forgot to dry it off. I never heard from any of them again except to tell em how I recommended they sharpen them about four months after they took delivery of them when I got the only feedback I had on them for a resharpen while they watched me do it.

I simply shaped the blades like shown here below and sharpened it thick using the most worn out 50 grit belt in my possession for my 1x30 grinder. Like I said nothing special at all. Even gritty feeling as they were when you opened and closed the blade as the detent ball rolled along the titanium blade and even with all the grease to try to alleviate that gritty feeling they like them. Even though the edge would roll on harder materials they liked them. Heck from those guys take on them you'd think they walked on water. They used them to cut up rags and splicing wires and said they were just what they wanted. Go figure. I just knew I'd get them back and had a plan in the back of my mind to put real steel blades in them and offer them cheap here on the forums but they never came back to me. I wish everyone was that easy to please.:D

My wife bought a pair of scissors that are titanium throughout. I must admit they cut really well in the kitchen on everything we've used them on. Personally I don't get it anymore than I did with the Talonite but whatever. To each their own. If you bud thinks they work let him. He'll change his mind the first time he tries to whittle wood with it but if he just cuts boxes, rags, paper, rope and stuff like that it will probably hold up for a long long time. If you put a pretty good saw toothy edge on one it can certainly cut up flesh pretty good too for that matter. Some of the Mission serrated ones I had here for a bit to play with cut softer materials all day long.

STR
 

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Yeah you can't really tell it but for all practical purposes mine were micro serrated because it has to have a real toothy edge to work well. Honestly I was surprised at how sharp they felt because they cut aggressively and they bit my fingers more than once so I think on flesh and meat they'd probably do ok. I have not tested any. I honestly had second thoughts on doing it for them but they seemed to know what they wanted and sounded like if I didn't do it they'd find someone that would so I gave it a try.

STR
 
Ti falls into the specialty catagory for knives, it has it's place. As daily user, generally not. A lotso depends on the alloy. You can go all the way from commercially pure to some of the more extreme beta-titanium alloys. Most people are thinking about 6al4v when they think titanium. That is what is mainly used for liners and is easier to get than beta. 6al4v will take a razor edge. It's not easy to accomplish, but it will do it. That edge doesn't last long. I think I remember someone testing a well sharpened Ti blade on a cardboard box and got to around 15-20 cuts. You can embed the edge with carbide and that will truly enhance edge holding. However, you can say bye bye to that razor edge and say hello to a wicked saw blade. If the edge angle is right, it will slice paper pretty cleanly and slice flesh easily. I have done this to some of the Ti knives I have made, it does work.
 
Lots of folks seem to forget about the bronze age...and those who don't seem to ignore that there were countless cutting tools at that time. The process was different from steel (the blades were cast and the edges hammered to work-harden them) but they produced a more than serviceable edge. And countless pieces survive in nearly flawless condition. Compare these finds with most early iron-age pieces.

It's similar with titanium. Different process, ok results, not quite as good in every respect except for corrosion resistance. However titanium is much lighter than bronze and as such allows for more typical proportions and profiles like those found in steel blades.
 
I have 2 Mission neckers, the MPU and MBK, which are the same skeletal knife with 2" and 4" blade respectively.

They are excellent in the kitchen for cutting up fruits and vegetables and making sandwiches, easy to clean off and toss aside. I was prepared to keep resharpening them, even got a Mission diamond rod, but they keep on going without it.

You can make a reasonable light utility knife from cheap plastic (just ask McDonalds! :) ) or hardwood. Ti is great for what it does, even if it isn't the latest stainless.
 
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