Apparently, titanium is a fabulous blade material. But is titanium good for blades? I got my hands on some titanium, the 6Al4V grade, commonly used for aircraft grade titanium.
I bought one Benchmade Bugout knife, then changed with our titanium scales.
I have been working with titanium for about 12 years now. The major benefit of this metal has been its corrosion resistance. It outlasts other metals in saltwater and marine environments.
Is Titanium easy for machining?
Titanium is difficult to machine, and it is difficult to heat treat. Still, if you can master these hurdles, you are rewarded with a very strong, wear-resistant, and light material.
The metal is more robust and heavier than stainless, but it is much lighter than steel. It is more difficult to sharpen than steel, but it will retain its edge for much longer because of the extreme hardness. If you are careful and maintain it, you will quickly discover that it is the last knife you ever need.
Why titanium good?
If you are talking about a knife that cuts rather than stabs, then yes, titanium is excellent. It is 60% heavier than steel so that the blade will be heavier, but you will hardly notice it.
- Titanium is more accessible to sharpen than steel.
- Titanium is chemically inert, so it will not react with foods, acids, salts, etc.
- Titanium is one of the strongest metals.
- Titanium is resistant to corrosion.
And one last thing: if you encounter titanium, it will be either pure titanium or a titanium alloy. Pure titanium is too soft for a knife, so it is alloyed with other metals to give it the right shape. Titanium alloys are much lighter and much stronger (and more expensive) than steel. See, titanium is a very great choice for you!
