What is so great about titanium frame locks?

A

Askurato

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Aug 6, 2013
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So I am a knife collecting newbie. I just started about a month ago and am already addicted.

Can you guys explain to me why there is so much love for titanium frame lock folders? Is it durability? Is it the ease of one-handed closing?

Hopefully I will find out soon firsthand, as I have a Sage 2 on its way.
 
There is just something about titanium. Used to be considered a relatively scarce "metal". Not sure why with all the devices and things made out of it. Knives, flashlights, watches, on and on. Also titanium is a galling material: i.e. it sticks t itself or other metals, making the lock up more sure. Despite this, it surprises me how many people complain of sticky locks! It's supposed to do this, many makers are quite happy when their locks stick.

Stop the whining. Not referring to the OP in this case.

I have four of them, and none of them get carried or used any more. They are all out-of-production, and in one case, the company has folded. So they are too valuable and rare to use any further. They reside in a CAO Soprano's collector edition cigar box.





And just to make you envious, I have a second that still has the stogies in it, kept in my large humidor.
 
Weight is another huge factor. Its almost as light as aluminum and almost as strong as steel making ideal overall. And anodized titanium looks super nice :D corrosion resistance is another biggie with titanium it doesnt corrode like steel or aluminum.
 
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I think mostly the "cool" factor. I am indifferent toward it, but I do have to say that in the corrosion resistance department, this obviously takes the cake.
 
I think people still acociate it with rare and expensive, though it is not anymore. It is light and strong, and wears well. Now it seems to almost have a mysic associated with it that makes collectors want it.
 
I'm not a huge fan of Ti Frame Locks.

Fact is, I generally prefer a steel liner lock over a Ti Frame Lock.

I especially don't favor Ti Liner Locks with Micarta scales on one side.

Give me a nice liner lock with two steel liners covered with Micarta or CF and I'm a happy camper.

Knives like the Kershaw JYD or ZT 0200 are just fine by me.

I just like a knife that looks the same om both sides.

Of course, I remove my pocket clips too, so I must be crazy.


If I'm carrying a frame lock, I prefer a knife like the Kershaw Shallot that features a pair of stainless steel scales that are similarly finished.


I guess i just don't feel too good about a Ti lockbar wearing against the steel knife blade.

Though I do see that many of the high end folder makers are addressing this issue.


Different strokes for different folks.




Big Mike
 
The metal isn't scarce... they make whole commercial airliner parts out of Ti!!! But outside of weight its purely the bling factor. The fact that they are so lightweight and strong. I'm not really into collecting them. Beating the heck out of one in use sounds interesting though. The other thing is there is this guy named Chris Reeve and he makes some beautiful and functional knives using the material. Some people hate his knives some people think his knives are God's gift to mankind.

I'm of the opinion that they are awesome and its an internal struggle for me to buy or not buy one. I find paying $285 for a used CRK to be just nuts. Yet I want one bad, lol.
 
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Lightweight, strong, corrosion resistant and simple comes to mind. Some people (myself included) like the character the titanium develops over time. Some call it scratches but you can buff/polish most of them out if you wanted to.
 
Most Ti frame locks have a very thick looking lock bar. We see that and most of us associate thicker with stronger. Wether it is or is not is irrelevant. Thant and the one handed closing is much easier than a spine lock model. Plus you can anodize, stone wash, bead blast or polish. Very sexy
 
Titanium as a primary handle material allows the knife to be manufactured slim, lightweight, and very strong.

I kind of doubt the strength of the frame lock mechanism itself, and don't see how it's too much stronger than a liner lock. I'd rather a titanium lockback, or, let's go a step further and make it a Tri-Ad lock, if we really want to talk performance

But, I think the primary allure of a titanium frame lock is the cool factor first and performance second. Not that there aren't some very strong and properly designed Titanium frame locks out there (I'd love a Ti Millie), but my point is that there are stronger designs out there. Especially considering the titanium wearing against the steel over time.
 
I think im going to buy a Curtiss F3 with bronzeanodized details on.
First Ti knife ever, so atm i cant really say why i like Ti, but A stonewashed Ti knife, it cant get more beatiful Than that..
 
Kwon Kwang said:
Titanium as a primary handle material allows the knife to be manufactured slim, lightweight, and very strong.

I kind of doubt the strength of the frame lock mechanism itself, and don't see how it's too much stronger than a liner lock. I'd rather a titanium lockback, or, let's go a step further and make it a Tri-Ad lock, if we really want to talk performance

But, I think the primary allure of a titanium frame lock is the cool factor first and performance second. Not that there aren't some very strong and properly designed Titanium frame locks out there (I'd love a Ti Millie), but my point is that there are stronger designs out there. Especially considering the titanium wearing against the steel over time.
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A titanium lockback wouldn't perform better than a steel one at all. It's softer and wont wear as well. Not to mention in order to get the same amount of lock strength you'd have to make it thicker than a similar steel lock bar.
 
I just love them. As others have said, there's just something about titanium. I find titanium frame locks simple and beautiful, which is why they make up the majority of my collection. I mean how can you resist beauties like these?

qmd7M1C.jpg
 
fzla226 said:
A titanium lockback wouldn't perform better than a steel one at all. It's softer and wont wear as well. Not to mention in order to get the same amount of lock strength you'd have to make it thicker than a similar steel lock bar.
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Really? I thought titanium was stronger than steel and lighter?
 
Kwon Kwang said:
Really? I thought titanium was stronger than steel and lighter?
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Pound for pound, titanium is stronger than steel. Size for size, much weaker - but only about 50% heavier than aluminum.

Titanium is an interesting metal to work with, and is generally considered corrosion proof. It also takes a variety of finishes well, which is why it's used on a lot of higher end knives.

Oddly enough, even though it is soft compared to steel (not much "harder" than aluminum), it is much more difficult to machine because it rapidly work hardens and destroys tools.
 
My Sebenza is slim in the pocket but very strong and light. Whats not to like?
 
onespdfrk said:
Pound for pound, titanium is stronger than steel. Size for size, much weaker - but only about 50% heavier than aluminum.

Titanium is an interesting metal to work with, and is generally considered corrosion proof. It also takes a variety of finishes well, which is why it's used on a lot of higher end knives.

Oddly enough, even though it is soft compared to steel (not much "harder" than aluminum), it is much more difficult to machine because it rapidly work hardens and destroys tools.
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Thank you for this informative explanation.

With Cold Steel's Espada series they use 7075 aluminum frames and bolsters, which seems to be similar to titanium, but is obviously different. What's your take on 7075 aluminum vs titanium?
 
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