what are titanum frames?

[knarfeng]

Titanium 6AL4V is used in most commercial applications where titanium is the material of choice for whatever reason.

The reason it is used for knife is handles, is Strength, lightweight, withstands lateral stress as well as all stress very well as titanium has great toughness (bend don't break), it is very stable at both ends of the temperature spectrum both hot and cold, and its does not rust, salt water, most chemicals, etc. it simply does not rust and for all practical purposes it does not snap, chip or break. It will indent because it is softer than steel but again for all practical purposes it will not break, snap, chip, etc. It is also highly abrasion resistant.

Titanium alloys come in three classes alpha, beta and alpha betas with 6AL4V being in the alpha category.

I have all of the rockwell C hardness data for nearly all variants of Titanium and if memory serves 6AL4V is about 34 Rockwell C with certain variants of beta titanium coming in over 40 Rockwell C, the highest Rockwell C for 6AL4V is for a variant identified as 6AL4V STA and it has a rockwell C of about 38. Nobody hang me if these numbers aren't exactly spot on as my Titanium file folder is at my office and I'm writing this from home.

Alot of 6AL4V is made here in the US, because titanium is softer than steel but not really what should be considered soft like aluminum most of the cutting is done with a water jet. Other methods can work and or used but water jet cutting is the best.

Mission knives old website used to have a titanium tutorial on it that was a wealth of information I have a copy of this in my knife file folder, but it was dropped from their web site when the new owner took over. I'll see if I can find it somewhere on the web and post a link. It was extremely informative.

Hope this helps.

Why do you assume a knife handle requires the strength of 6-4 compared to the strength of CP Ti?

Why does the fact that 6-4 titanium is softer than steel mean it is made in the US?

You can also laser cut, then machine off the alpha case.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Of my reading on the web so far, the biggest advantage with 6Al-4V is it's ability to be heat-treated (hence the improved strength/toughness of this alloy). This implies, I assume, that 'pure' CP Ti isn't heat-treatable?

If CP Ti isn't heat treatable, I could understand why it might be used on a knife handle if it was just used for basic handle slabs. But, in the case of a Ti framelock handle, it makes sense to me that the heat treatability of the 6Al-4V would make it more desirable/necessary to set and ensure the strength of the lock.

 

[MikeC]

Knarfang, have no idea what your talking about with the CP Ti? I was merely trying to post some general info about titanium and 6AL4V, my post doesn't once mention CP TI. I was trying to explain why they use titanium.

Your second point about softer and made in the us, Nothing to do one another I should have used a period there instead of a comma, but I'm not at work so my grammer is lacking at 10 pm on a Saturday night when I'm posting for recreation.

I also said other methods of cutting can be used but from what I've read water jet cutting is the preferred method.

I was just going over some points that I have read off of web sites that information concerning titanium.

Didn't mean to ruffle any feathers as I wasn't assuming anything about CP Ti, or trying to infer that because its softer steel it is made here in the US.

It's Saturday night guys, take it easy.

 

[knarfeng]

Your're right. I need a beer.

Cheers.

 

[Confederate]

The only titanium knives I have are the CRKT S-2s I bought from Smokey Mountain Knife Works (4-inch blades) for $25 each (including shipping). The blade steel is ATS-34 and I count it as one of the best knife deals I ever got. I bought seven of them and gave most away as gifts. The titanium grade was very nice, and I polished the grips on my knife and it's beautiful.

For the most part, titanium is a bit of a gimmick, offering the strength of steel at the weight closer to aluminum. It's primary benefits would be on a frame lock folder; still, on most of the aluminum handled knives I have, the aluminum is plenty strong. The smooth titanium feels good in the hand, though, and does add a bit of snazz to the knife.