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What are the best materials for...?

K

KuKu

Joined
Jun 25, 1999
Messages
178
What are the best materials for:

1. Ti and aluminum knife handles. In terms of strength and machinability, what is the best alloy for each metal and is it possible to get it blackened?

2. What Ti alloy is the most ideal for usage as a spring leaf?

3. What is the best material for liners if the locking mechanism is not a liner lock so the material does not need to be springy?

I am seriously considering making my own knife and I sincerely appreciate any help I can get on these questions.

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311
 
I have not used Ti, so I can not speak on it's behalf. I understand it to be significantly stronger than Al in the same size, shape, thickness, etc. Most the Ti I have seen has been used as liners and not blackened. I am pretty sure it can be though. I do not think for a liner that it needs to be. It sounds like you are going to attempt a folder as a first knife. I would recommed a fixed blade or a kit knife. It is easier to get a feel for your equipment that way. The results on the folder will be much nicer as a result. Good luck.

Glenn
 
I can't answer all your questions, but I can try a couple. Titanium is going to be available in three main types for knife use, I would assume. THey would be CP (commercially pure), 3Al/2.5V, and 6Al/4V. At leeast these are the alloys found in bicycle frames. Anyway, I don't know how it transfers over to knives, but in the bike industry 6/4 costs a fortune and it is a REAL pain in the butt to form into tubes as well as miter and cut. Butting the tubes is really tough, too. 3/2.5 is a springier material and a bit easier to work with overall. CP is used as little as possible in bicycle frames, but it may work just fine in knife applications.
For aluminum, again, bicycle manufacturers use three main types: 2014, 6061-T6, and 7000 series (maybe 7005?). Anyway, 2014 is used frequently in handlebars and stems for its higher strength to weight ratio. People who use 7000 series aluminum say it is better than 6000 series, but I think the 6000 series is more durable and less brittle. Titanium is lighter than steel, but also not as strong, so more is used. Weight savings are quite negligible most of the time, but it is Unobtanium, so everyone wants it! Aluminum is the lightest and stiffest of these three materials, but also is pretty soft and easy to damage. I am sure Ti can be blackened somehow, but it is usually painte dor powdercoated when I've seen it black. I don't know if it can be anodized black or not. Aluminum can easily be anodized black.
Hope this helps a bit! I'm sure there are plenty of people here who know more about it all than I do!

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My Custom Kydex Sheath pagehttp://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/knifehome.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
 
id stick with ti if i were you.....harder to work but way way way stronger...and more expensive...but for one knife...no big deal. and the pure ti is used mostly because it colors way better than the other...less pure kind.....so you can anodize it any color you want to.....like the mag lites....aluminum.. but anodized...same process.....takes some special equipment...very easy to do...

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
Tom,
What kind of equipment is necessary for anodizing Ti and could you point me to a scource where I can research it more and perhaps find a price range of this special equipment?

Thanks
Spencer
 
Anodizing is easy . Dc current. Voltage 0-150 volts. amps 3. Coke as the fluid hehehe YES COKE. Suger free last longer BTW
 
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