I understand the advantages of titanium as a knife metal (corrosion resistant, non-magnetic, light weight) but what are the disadvantages? I 'm considering a titanium blade for general hiking, hunting and survival training use. The Mission MPK looks great, but I've also thought of one of the Ti diver knives. Any suggestions/info would be appreciated.
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Titanium Knife Drawbacks
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I would stay away from titanium if I were you it doesnt hold a very good edge at all.
it is non metallic and all but it can wear down very easily.
If you are using it for hiking though it might be a good idea
but I have alway used a non titanium knife so I would really kniw what it is like.
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My Email is- Hero47@juno.com -
it is non metallic and all but it can wear down very easily.
If you are using it for hiking though it might be a good idea
but I have alway used a non titanium knife so I would really kniw what it is like.
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My Email is- Hero47@juno.com -
Some of the biggest advantages of the use of Ti knives are that they are non metallic, non conductive, non spark inducive(?) and extremely corrosion resistance. They are ideal for specialty applications in the EOD field, especially in marine environments where the above characteristics are indeed essential. Wouldn' t want a premature 4th of July! Ti blades were never designed to have great holding edge characteristics but then they were never intended for extended cutting use. They are sharp enough when fresh from the box or newly resharpened and are enough for one time intended use...
L8r,
Nakano
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"To earn a million is easy, a real friend is not."
L8r,
Nakano
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"To earn a million is easy, a real friend is not."
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I read another thread on a knife made of Ti.I think it was a benchmade(not sure on this) Anyway the maker said it was designed for use in emergency situations as a prybar with limited cutting ability.They didn't recomend getting it for everyday use unless you need a knife for use in extremely corrosive enviroments. I wouldn't rely on a titanium knife for survival and hiking because of its edge holding ability.It may be sharp out of the box but I doubt that its very easy to sharpen especially in the field where your limited to what you brought with you.
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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
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Sorry,I forgot to add that you should post this question in the wilderness survival forum. Those guys do it all the time and know what their talking about. I'm sure you'll get good feedback from them.
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Hi...Nakano 2
Nakano 2 Writes: ""Some of the biggest advantages of the use of Ti knives are that they are non metallic, non conductive, non spark inducive(?) ""
Nakano,, What you are saying is wrong!!!
Ti IS metallic and IS HIGHLY Conductive!!!!
and it will Conduct a spark..
Hold it by the blade and insert into your favorite 120V outlet!
as a test!
I think what you meant to say is it is Non Magnetic...
This could very well be misleading if someone was to work around electricity with it! Not a Good idea,,and the results will Be the Same as with any steel knife....
Just thought I'd clear that up,,before someone hurts themselves!
ttyle Eric...
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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
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Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
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Nakano 2 Writes: ""Some of the biggest advantages of the use of Ti knives are that they are non metallic, non conductive, non spark inducive(?) ""
Nakano,, What you are saying is wrong!!!
Ti IS metallic and IS HIGHLY Conductive!!!!
and it will Conduct a spark..
Hold it by the blade and insert into your favorite 120V outlet!
I think what you meant to say is it is Non Magnetic...
This could very well be misleading if someone was to work around electricity with it! Not a Good idea,,and the results will Be the Same as with any steel knife....
Just thought I'd clear that up,,before someone hurts themselves!
ttyle Eric...
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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom made, High Quality
Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
Canada's Only Custom Concealex Shop!
- Joined
- Dec 16, 1998
- Messages
- 1,066
Sorry to intrude but I feel the need to clear up a few things.
Ti is a metal. They are non-ferous and therefore may be non-magnetic. Most Ti blade alloys are somewhat magnetic because of alloy components or contaminants. If you check with Mission they will explain they are the "only ones to pass the Navy low mu tests".
While Ti may not spark, powdered Ti likes to burn.
It will conduct electricty.
It does not hold an edge well nor does it cut well. Even beta alloy doesn't hold an edge as well as "average" steels. Ti blades with carbide impregnated edges perform a little better.
It's great strength is that Mission can get a beta alloy of adequate composition to pass the the low mu test. This means that mine magnetics are not disturbed. Beryllium blades and other materials will also, but they are more difficult to work with or more hazardous to produce.
Sorry for butting in.
Take care,
Mike
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TANSTAAFL
Ti is a metal. They are non-ferous and therefore may be non-magnetic. Most Ti blade alloys are somewhat magnetic because of alloy components or contaminants. If you check with Mission they will explain they are the "only ones to pass the Navy low mu tests".
While Ti may not spark, powdered Ti likes to burn.
It will conduct electricty.
It does not hold an edge well nor does it cut well. Even beta alloy doesn't hold an edge as well as "average" steels. Ti blades with carbide impregnated edges perform a little better.
It's great strength is that Mission can get a beta alloy of adequate composition to pass the the low mu test. This means that mine magnetics are not disturbed. Beryllium blades and other materials will also, but they are more difficult to work with or more hazardous to produce.
Sorry for butting in.
Take care,
Mike
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TANSTAAFL
Brian Jones
Moderator
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- 7,560
Howdy,
I have an MPK that I've taken diving and windsurfing -- the teeth cut rope with ease, but it is a difficult knife to resharpen, because the edge rolls back and forth easily and you have to learn real finesse.
Once you get used to it, it can be done. It doesn't cut like steel, but it will work just fine for hikes and camping out, and in a pinch I'd feel comfortable with it for survival knife -- PROVIDED I had a diamond sharpener. That's the drawback -- it won't sharpen easily on regular stones, if at all, and the sharpener Mission sells has no way to be attached via a lanyard, etc..
I bring a Busse, my old USAF Camillus, and a Leatherman Wave or SAK for extended trips though. Steel is still much more versatile and workable for survival.
That said, I love my MPK, and it is a great dive knife and one for the fastest fighters I've ever held.
Hope this helps!
Brian.
I have an MPK that I've taken diving and windsurfing -- the teeth cut rope with ease, but it is a difficult knife to resharpen, because the edge rolls back and forth easily and you have to learn real finesse.
Once you get used to it, it can be done. It doesn't cut like steel, but it will work just fine for hikes and camping out, and in a pinch I'd feel comfortable with it for survival knife -- PROVIDED I had a diamond sharpener. That's the drawback -- it won't sharpen easily on regular stones, if at all, and the sharpener Mission sells has no way to be attached via a lanyard, etc..
I bring a Busse, my old USAF Camillus, and a Leatherman Wave or SAK for extended trips though. Steel is still much more versatile and workable for survival.
That said, I love my MPK, and it is a great dive knife and one for the fastest fighters I've ever held.
Hope this helps!
Brian.
As said earlier in the thread:
advantages: corrosion resistance, non-magnetic (depending on alloy composition; NOT non-conductive), non-sparking, lower weight
disadvantages: lack of edge-holding
Titanium also does not take coatings for either improved corrosion protection or increased hardening (or style concerns, for that matter
).
The increased resilience and durability of Ti as compared to steel is offset by the effective increase of softness throughout the metal.
As an aside, the non-sparking attribute of Ti may be a disadvantage in a particularly disastrous survival situation.
Overall, I'd say that while Ti is a feasible blade material, its main drawback is significant. The areté (the main point or importance) of a knife is its sharpness, its ability to cut.
advantages: corrosion resistance, non-magnetic (depending on alloy composition; NOT non-conductive), non-sparking, lower weight
disadvantages: lack of edge-holding
Titanium also does not take coatings for either improved corrosion protection or increased hardening (or style concerns, for that matter
The increased resilience and durability of Ti as compared to steel is offset by the effective increase of softness throughout the metal.
As an aside, the non-sparking attribute of Ti may be a disadvantage in a particularly disastrous survival situation.
Overall, I'd say that while Ti is a feasible blade material, its main drawback is significant. The areté (the main point or importance) of a knife is its sharpness, its ability to cut.