Whats up with rainbow?

[the Ryan]

Hi, i am wondering what is so special with the rainbow colored knifes.
I see them all the time and there prices higher than the regular steel knives.
Is it just for looks?
Or does it do something else?

Thanks for the help

here is an example

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Titanium oxide is very scratch resistant, but the rainbow colours are just for looks.

 

[the Ryan]

thanks

 

[knivesandguns]

Scratch resistant is right, my rainbow leek has slid a good few feet after I dropped it in a walmart parking lot--barely scuffed in one corner. I thought it be much worse.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

i HATE those knives. I tried a chive with the Ti.O. on it and i couldnt even shut it. I had to use a nail. It's so slippery. I haven't tried larger knives but i imagine liner locks suck with it. It is really nice though.

 

[bitter1]

We have a chive in the rainbow and the end of the handle has worn off to where it looks like the polished handle ones.

 

[Frostyfingers]

I think those are the ugliest knive ever made. Of course, I also dislike damascus steels, so what do I know :foot:

To me there is nothing more beautiful than a gray, well-used carbon steel blade...but shiny, shimmery, rainbow steel? Not so much...

 

[Guyon]

I actually think it looks pretty cool, but I've never been partial to metal handled knives. IMO, they lack the grip other materials offer, and they're cold to the hand. YMMV. I've sold every metal-handled blade I've owned with the exception of a small Spyderco Navigator. I recall some knives I really liked otherwise. A Buck 560 with Titanium handles, a large Sebenza, and a Mel Pardue designed Benchmade come to mind. However, I eventually sold them all. One of these days, I'll try a Sebbie with the micarta inlays.

 

[2brothers]

I like the looks of the coating. There is a member here that works for a US company that does the coating for Kershaw. (Can't remember his name now )
The coating is referred by a few names: Rainbow Ti, Spectrum and Oil Slick.

The Groove with the finish

If you find your scales a little slick, you could always doctor them up a bit.

mike

 

[[digidude]]

I don't really like the rainbow colored knives. I've always thought they looked kind of cheap.