What is appeal of titanium handle?

I honestly don't know. It's slippery, the annodizing scratches easy, and it's expensive to produce. Sure the strength to weight ratio is high, but it's a knife...not a fighter jet :)
 
While I don't personally care for all titanium scales and handles I can see the allure as it's strong, lightweight, high tech & an up-scale steel. (To me) it's not worth the extra cost over G10, premium wood or Micarta.
 
Thanks. I prefer FRN or whatever feels comfortable at a lesser cost. But I don't know enough about them to say a lot.
 
Strength and looks for sure. I think they are worth it, I don't like cheap plastic crap handles. G10 is good stuff in my book though.
 
It's light...strong...and it is easy to refinish after it gets beat up. It is worth the cost? Maybe not to some...but I prefer it. I would much rather pay extra for a knife I enjoy completely. I can't stand plastic handles. I know there is nothing wrong with FRN or Zytel etc...etc. but I just don't like the way it feels.
 
I like titanium as a framelock on the locking side but do not like an all titanium handled folder. I would prefer another material on the non-locking side of the handle.
 
In a frame lock or a liner lock, I can see an advantage for titanium. It's both lighter and stronger than steel in the same application. The 6AL4V titanium used in most Ti handles is also heat-treatable, therefore making it easier for makers to adjust it's hardness up or down, depending on the application. I see the biggest advantage in using it for framelocks, making a very strong and lightweight handle with a minimum of parts. For most knife applications, it is probably overkill, though.

I think some have said Ti has a slightly 'warmer' feel in the hand, compared to steel, in cold conditions.
 
Bill86 said:
Strength and looks for sure. I think they are worth it, I don't like cheap plastic crap handles. G10 is good stuff in my book though.
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:thumbdn: Most of that "cheap plastic crap" is not so cheap.

Titanium handles? Sure. Why not? :confused: If you don't like it, don't buy it. The Galyean series, JYD Ti, Sebenza, all great knives. Does it bother me they are full ti? No.
 
So CRKT and SOG zytel knives that cost $50....the handles aren't CHEAP? I'm confused. Zytel and FRN are cheap plastic handles....that come on lowER end knives.
 
Bill86 said:
So CRKT and SOG zytel knives that cost $50....the handles aren't CHEAP? I'm confused. Zytel and FRN are cheap plastic handles....that come on lowER end knives.
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This coming from the guy that can't figure out how to use the thumbstuds on a SMF. :rolleyes:

There is a difference in cost between plastic handled knives. Several companies use high grade FRN while others don't. I was simply pointing out that all plastic handled knives are not necessarily cheap nor crap.
 
It's not a thumbstud it's a hole and now you are trolling me around the forums dissecting everything I say.....get a life.

I don't get it you're trying to argue that the handles PRIMARILY USED ON LOWER END KNIVES aren't cheap?

Show me a $400+ knife with zytel or FRN handles IF you can do that I'm sure the knife is a POS or from a custom maker asking way too much. TYPICALLY FRN/ZYTEL are used on cheap knives, you know this is true.

There is a difference in cost between plastic handled knives. Several companies use high grade FRN while others don't. I was simply pointing out that all plastic handled knives are not necessarily cheap nor crap.
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While taking an obvious and pathetic shot at me, LIKE I STATED I sent in my Strider SMF for REPAIRS, meaning it isn't up to par. So just because mine wasn't particularly smooth how would I know what a "new" one is like? Also when you buy them in the exchange and they say they are "new" I take their word for it. I don't know if the pivot was adjusted or whatnot. AGAIN I sent it in for repairs we'll see how it functions when I get it back and I'll surely make a post about it.
 
Bill86 said:
It's not a thumbstud it's a hole and now you are trolling me around the forums dissecting everything I say.....get a life.

I don't get it you're trying to argue that the handles PRIMARILY USED ON LOWER END KNIVES aren't cheap?

Show me a $400+ knife with zytel or FRN handles IF you can do that I'm sure the knife is a POS or from a custom maker asking way too much. TYPICALLY FRN/ZYTEL are used on cheap knives, you know this is true.



While taking an obvious and pathetic shot at me, LIKE I STATED I sent in my Strider SMF for REPAIRS, meaning it isn't up to par. So just because mine wasn't particularly smooth how would I know what a "new" one is like? Also when you buy them in the exchange and they say they are "new" I take their word for it. I don't know if the pivot was adjusted or whatnot. AGAIN I sent it in for repairs we'll see how it functions when I get it back and I'll surely make a post about it.
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Quite your whinging why don't you.

Suddenly $400 is the cost of an expensive knife? $100 isn't? Yes maybe to us, but you must cede the point that cheap to knife knuts is one thing, the average consumer another.
 
Quite your whinging
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Not sure how to do that..... How about "quit your whining" if that is what you were trying to say. If you are going to be a PITA at least get it right.


If you belong here you aren't an "Average consumer" or you won't be for long. Everyone knows this.

$400 is strider/CRK/Hinderer territory and mostly out of the standard VERY production benchmade/emerson etc etc territory.
 
I know of my ignorance about knives but had no idea the query would erupt into a fracas:-)) Fact is, though, that Ti handles in general are expensive as hell and I fail to see that much of an advantage over a good handle of whatever material as long as it suits the user. Doesn't that sound logical? I can afford a $300 knife but if the same blade, lock are on a cheaper handle it will do the same job I should think.
 
Anyways back to the program...

I find titanium framelocks to be worth the extra cost not only because they feel awesome, are super corrosion resistant, and have an amazing size to weight ratio. But they are also very easy to customize and make your own. You can hand sand them, bead blast, sculpt, fizz and anodize it most any color. Then after years of everyday use you can pull out the bead blaster (or pay a machine shop to blast it for a few bucks) and make it look exactly how it did when you first bought the knife. I must admit since I bought my first ti framelock I have been completely enamored with them and thats just about all I carry any more.

There are some very good quality ti framelocks for very decent prices too if you don't want to spend a lot on your first. Check out the A.G. Russell folding spearpoint for $100, the Kershaw Junkyard dog SG2 blems for $79, and preowned first quality ones for $150. I think if you have the means to spend that much right now you should definately check one out. Worse comes to worse you won't like the feel of a metal handle and you can sell it for $5 less than you paid. Best case you become a ti believer and carry the knife daily and maybe even end up loving it so much that you send it out for anodizing and sculpting work or something!
 
I like Ti handles (and liners for that matter) because it doesn't rust/corrode. With Ti handles, I don't have to worry about the liners rusting due to moisture stuck between the liners and the scales. It just seems to require less maintenance.
 
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