Titanium versus stainless steel liner

tallwingedgoat

tallwingedgoat

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Jan 13, 1999
Messages
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I've always assumed titanium liners to be superior, since they are found on more expensive knives. But the MicroTech LCC has changed my mind.

Is it just my imagination, or do Ti liners wear like crazy? They also have that annoying sticky feel on steel. I've had my MT LCC for almost a year now. The action is as good as the day I got it.
 
I believe that Ti is used primarily because it is only about 40% of the weight of steel. It is definitely softer than steel and will wear faster. It's also more costly to work with,so it will push up the costs of the knife.

Other than that, I don't see why a well made liner cannot be made of SS--even on a premium knife. Your LCC is a prime example of what I'm referring to. It could be made lighter with Ti, but other than that, I don't see any real performance difference.

Dick
 
I hear what your saying, twg. The LCC got me to rethink my position on SS liners as well. I now see that there are definite advantages and disadvantages to each in terms of wear resistance, weight, corrosion resistance, etc. Still, I doubt that titanium liners are going to become a thing of the past anytime soon. In all fairness, I think where liners are concerned, it's safe to say that titanium gets just as many checks in the plus column as SS. I also note that some folks actually like a sticky feel to a titanium lock as they feel it increases security.

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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
I have owned several knives with Ti liners and most recently the AFCK.

Most of my blades have SS liners nowerdays.

As a good example my new 812 has ss liners my old 800 had Ti liners. Well the 800 had blade play, the 812 does not.

IMHO SS is a better product for liners, it does not wear as fast, is more rigid and is stronger. I know Ti is on paper stronger, but that is based upon by weight not size. Thus in a pocket knife it will be weaker and less rigid for the same size. The only real benifits are weight reduction and rust resistance. I have no problem with a little extra weight in a knife and do not let any part of my knife rust
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I think Ti is way overated.

W.A.

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Just had this discussion yesterday with Dave Broadwell, and he's quite happy with the results he's been getting with SS liners. Darrel Ralph is another maker who is using stainless. Personally, I'm happy with stainless, and all of the things in liner locks that I've disliked, namely wear and galling, are problems that are more acute with Ti.
 
For any liner lock (ti or ss) of even moderate thickness, is strength really a major consideration? Of all the liner lock failures I've read about, torqueing or twisting forces has caused the lock to "walk" its way off of the tang. Are we attributing these failures due to a perceived lack of lock strength? I'm certainly not familiar with any instances where a lock has failed due to simple crushing forces.

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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
I like Stainless for liners under .07 thick.
After that point ti is wide enough on the locking surface to wear longer.
Ti will mushroom on thinner liners.
The hardness of the ss makes a difference . If its done right the ss is tougher and wears better.


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[This message has been edited by Darrel Ralph (edited 03-15-2001).]
 
There have been any number of articles in knife magazines proclaiming that TI makes for a better liner spring, and implying that steel will not retain its form. Is there any truth to this?

I question it only because just about every other mechanical device I can think of functions primarily with steel springs.
 
I would think that another consideration would be the cost - If SS liners make knives cheaper, then i say go with them!!!

James

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