- Joined
- Sep 29, 2008
- Messages
- 10,394
I say what I mean. Whinging.
What is your point? Striders / CRK / Hinderer are practically customs. I think you're confusing a very simple point, FRN doesn't not mean it's cheap.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
What is appeal of titanium handle?
- Thread starter rkhndjr
- Start date
I say what I mean. Whinging.
What is your point? Striders / CRK / Hinderer are practically customs. I think you're confusing a very simple point, FRN doesn't not mean it's cheap.
"Sticky" locks can happen with steel or titanium , it is far better to have a 'sticky' lock than one that closes with a light spine whack.
Is titanium better ? The answer is up to the individual , for instance ask STR what his opinion is on titanium vs steel as far as this subject is concerned , I value his opinion but do not always agree.
Titanium is for sure lighter , much lighter actually but as to whether or not it is stronger ? It depends upon your definition of strength for the particular application , IMO the biggest benefit over steel is the resistance to corrosion as far as moisture is concerned.
One thing to consider when someone mentions that titanium is "stronger" than steel is how many hard use tools are made of steel as opposed to titanium.
There are a lot of variables that escape my simian mind so I wont pretend to fully grasp all of those.
The only thing titanium has going for it over steel in the knife world is a coolness factor , a folder frame made from titanium and G10 is far more likely to get 'ohhs and ahhs' than one from steel and G10 even though in the end the difference is quite negligible IMO
Tostig
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2008
- Messages
- 4,367
Ditto, take it off-line why don't you.
As for titanium handles on a knife, I grew up in the 60's. Titanium was a "strategic" metal then. Something exotic, rare, and strategically important (SR-71). For me its kind of nostalgic as well high tech (strength, light weight). Love my ZT 301 and 300. The 3D machined Ti framelock side of the knife matches the 3D machined G-10 and feels great in the hand.
BTW: Yes, for me its worth it just for the nostalgia factor.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2004
- Messages
- 12,955
Its something about the name. Titanium. It just rolls off the tongue like it stands out as special or something. People like it. For some its the metal that was "unobtanium" that used to be a dream that finally became reality. For frame and liner locks ti's natural tendency to gall (stick) to dissimilar metals and itself make it ideally suited since the locks tend to want to stay on the blade rather than slide. The easy way to color coordinate the ti liners or scales or even the clip to blend with clothing make it that much more appealing to people whether it can scratch or not. I've seen some get beat up pretty bad but still others that came back years later to me after making it and it was still in great shape with a lot of the color left. Lets face it some people are just harder on things.
Ti has a great memory so speaking of harder on things its capable of bending about 50% further than steel and still recovering. You can expect a ti knife to withstand drastic temp. changes better so for artic or sahara either one it will perform much the same. Its completely corrosion resistant and for those needing something non magnetic ti fits the bill also. When the face of the lock is heated up with a flame anodizing takes place from the inside out causing the oxide layer to better cover the entire area the lock will be contacting the blade. Since the oxide layer of titanium is near ceramic in hardness and since ti has such high wear resistance it tends to do the job quite well when done this way. Its easy to use, and heat treating is not necessary compared to steels which would need heat treated to hold up. What this means to many makers is one less outside party or one less step needed to complete a job.
Lastly, ti is lighter weight than steel in the same thickness. So you can have a chunky well built folder without all the weight to bog you down. Its my belief that if ti was still a controlled metal that we would not see all the various chunky folders like some of the bigger frame locks available today and just because of how heavy they'd be in the same foot print if they were steel. Ti was the perfect choice for the advent of the frame lock or Reeve Integral Lock as its fondly referred to by many in the industry. Anyway, about the only draw back I've found for all metal folders whether they be all ti slab designs or stainless steel is that in the winter time they can be dang cold to a bare hand in the field. Otherwise I love em.
By the way. For those of you complaining about all metal slabs being slipppery. These days with many of the various textured materials available its very easy to add some grip either by an over scale on one side for a better thumb purchase on the all metal side or you can pay a service to texture the sheets of material you make your folders out of or buy these sheets of titanium or textured G10 from any number of places like those now sold by some knifemaker supply companies. This textured ti often called "tac ti" can give just enough grip to make even an all metal folder something easy to hang on to and if you would like to lighten the weight even more its just as possible to buy textured G10 from .060 to .200 or thicker to use for one side of the folders you make. The point is if slippery is your argument its not really an argument that holds much water these days. You can get around it and still have the slab folder if thats what you want.
STR
Ti has a great memory so speaking of harder on things its capable of bending about 50% further than steel and still recovering. You can expect a ti knife to withstand drastic temp. changes better so for artic or sahara either one it will perform much the same. Its completely corrosion resistant and for those needing something non magnetic ti fits the bill also. When the face of the lock is heated up with a flame anodizing takes place from the inside out causing the oxide layer to better cover the entire area the lock will be contacting the blade. Since the oxide layer of titanium is near ceramic in hardness and since ti has such high wear resistance it tends to do the job quite well when done this way. Its easy to use, and heat treating is not necessary compared to steels which would need heat treated to hold up. What this means to many makers is one less outside party or one less step needed to complete a job.
Lastly, ti is lighter weight than steel in the same thickness. So you can have a chunky well built folder without all the weight to bog you down. Its my belief that if ti was still a controlled metal that we would not see all the various chunky folders like some of the bigger frame locks available today and just because of how heavy they'd be in the same foot print if they were steel. Ti was the perfect choice for the advent of the frame lock or Reeve Integral Lock as its fondly referred to by many in the industry. Anyway, about the only draw back I've found for all metal folders whether they be all ti slab designs or stainless steel is that in the winter time they can be dang cold to a bare hand in the field. Otherwise I love em.
By the way. For those of you complaining about all metal slabs being slipppery. These days with many of the various textured materials available its very easy to add some grip either by an over scale on one side for a better thumb purchase on the all metal side or you can pay a service to texture the sheets of material you make your folders out of or buy these sheets of titanium or textured G10 from any number of places like those now sold by some knifemaker supply companies. This textured ti often called "tac ti" can give just enough grip to make even an all metal folder something easy to hang on to and if you would like to lighten the weight even more its just as possible to buy textured G10 from .060 to .200 or thicker to use for one side of the folders you make. The point is if slippery is your argument its not really an argument that holds much water these days. You can get around it and still have the slab folder if thats what you want.
STR
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2009
- Messages
- 412
2nded. Hence my Strider obsession. Titanium on one side adds indestructibility without too much weight. G10 on the other side adds grip with even less weight.
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2000
- Messages
- 28,365
I prefer a Ti framelock or a liner lock in the .090" range. ZT did right on the 0300. I'm not too keen on designs where the non locking side has no metal liners.
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2009
- Messages
- 1,421
I wasn't a big fan, mostly due to how easily Ti scratches and so my Ti knives didn't see pocket time. Recently, I got myself a used small Sebenza and since this knife came with scratches and wear marks, I had no qualms about carrying it. Strange how I baby a $150 NIB folder and EDC a $350 user. The mind is an illogical nonsensical thing...
Anyway, I've grown to like how the Ti feels and appreciate the strength inherent in the RIL design. It's not as cold or slippery as a stainless surface.
Anyway, I've grown to like how the Ti feels and appreciate the strength inherent in the RIL design. It's not as cold or slippery as a stainless surface.
- Joined
- May 14, 2010
- Messages
- 461
Just today's flavor and it seens to sell... If it came another material that is 1% lighter, it would be "fashion"...
powernoodle
Power Member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2004
- Messages
- 11,974
Titanium is less grippy and heavier than other materials. These are not positive attributes. My Sebenza, Strider SNG, Sage 2 and Military Ti are among the least favored in my arsenal. Except for the Military Ti - which I will probably sell - I do not dislike them per se. I just prefer thin, light and grippy, and FRN and G10 give me that. I'm on the list for a Ti/G10 Military, but wish I had not bothered, really.
There is no right or wrong here, and to each his own. As a general rule, I just don't dig titanium scales. :thumbup:
There is no right or wrong here, and to each his own. As a general rule, I just don't dig titanium scales. :thumbup:
- Joined
- May 14, 2010
- Messages
- 461
Amen to that I wish I never got that $500 Sng...
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2001
- Messages
- 3,157
Ti is light (1/2 the weight of steel), anti corrosive, anti oxidation, heat resistant. For me, the simpler design the better... like a framelock. Say, if I KNOW I'm using my knife for a gunky go-at-it... e.g. slicing a mango, I would greatly prefer something easier to clean if I don't/can't clean it right away. I shy away from my liner locks and axis for uses like this and go for my Lg Sebenza every time. The material will not be effected by mango juice and there are much less pieces and crevices for stuff to get stuck/jammed into.
Yesterday I was carrying my Burger exk1 (Ti liner lock, G10 scales). I was patching rafts @ work using Methyl Ethyl Ketone(MAJOR solvent), Toluene(glue activator) & StaBond(bomber glue)... ALL NASTY stuff. I had the crap on my gloves and needed a knife (actually on 2 occasions). Boy was I clad I had my Seb in my desk. The G10 would likely be affected by these chemicals, but I knew the Ti would be unscathed and simple to clean.
Yesterday I was carrying my Burger exk1 (Ti liner lock, G10 scales). I was patching rafts @ work using Methyl Ethyl Ketone(MAJOR solvent), Toluene(glue activator) & StaBond(bomber glue)... ALL NASTY stuff. I had the crap on my gloves and needed a knife (actually on 2 occasions). Boy was I clad I had my Seb in my desk. The G10 would likely be affected by these chemicals, but I knew the Ti would be unscathed and simple to clean.
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2005
- Messages
- 10,038
I'm familiar with those from work. I'm surprised your knife didn't disintegrate overnight.
Good point, Archie. metal handles are ideal for use around wicked organic solvents. They won't melt and are easy to clean off. Titanium as an all-metal handle material has the following benefits over stainless steel:
1. It is lighter for the same size.
2. It has the coolness factor, exclusivity, higher price, etc.
3. Aesthetic and subjective aspects like color, feel, etc.
As an aside, when I was collecting minerals years ago I found that Titanium was the state mineral of Rhode Island. Then a son-in-law went to work for a company as president of the mining company and titanium was what they mined. Then the company formed an allegiance with Eli Lilly company and the titanium was incorporated into some medicinal product. Now I am studying its qualities as a knife handle. Interesting world.
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2008
- Messages
- 6,602
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2005
- Messages
- 1,364
Titanium is
1) strong
2) light
3) will not rust under conditions whereby humans can live and many where humans can't
4) lateral strength so the hard use crowd should like that
5) cleans up and refurbs easy, don't try sanding on your G10 handle without a respirator unless you like huffing toxic dust
6) SOLID
7) The ultimate bend don't break material
8) TOUGH
9) Excellent wear resistance
10) .......
I could continue but it is kinda pointless. I will not carry a folder that doesn't have solid titanium slabs on both sides for handles. To me there just isn't any point in it. It greatly limits my choices but the knives I have are keepers, well made by reputable manf or makers and sturdy or robust as h e double hockey sticks. I don't see the point in making a folding knife that doesn't have solid titanium slabs other than cost and price point.
1) strong
2) light
3) will not rust under conditions whereby humans can live and many where humans can't
4) lateral strength so the hard use crowd should like that
5) cleans up and refurbs easy, don't try sanding on your G10 handle without a respirator unless you like huffing toxic dust
6) SOLID
7) The ultimate bend don't break material
8) TOUGH
9) Excellent wear resistance
10) .......
I could continue but it is kinda pointless. I will not carry a folder that doesn't have solid titanium slabs on both sides for handles. To me there just isn't any point in it. It greatly limits my choices but the knives I have are keepers, well made by reputable manf or makers and sturdy or robust as h e double hockey sticks. I don't see the point in making a folding knife that doesn't have solid titanium slabs other than cost and price point.
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2000
- Messages
- 28,365
Right on! :thumbup:
Speaking of... I have a Ti fixed blade incoming from Reese, he just has to bead blast it and do the rayskin jap-wrap. It will be one foot overall with a 6" blade, chisel ground from .160" Ti. Then it will go to Tom Krien for a carbide edge along with my Ti blade Super CQC7.
No offense, but not everyone can afford these fine knives with Ti handles...
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2010
- Messages
- 970
for the love of god that sounds amazing...
how does a carbide edge behave? i would assume very different from steel... i'd prolly sell body parts for a necker style titanium set up like that. holy :jerkit: