[Glamdring]

I remember a couple of years ago seeing a lot of titanium knifes that had a blueish color. Wondering if someone can tell me what alloy or anodizing process is used to get that color?

Also thought construction would be difficult and expensive, would titanium offer any advantage for making fuctional but nice looking plate armor or chain mail?

[krept]

my understanding is that the common alloy of titanium used in blades is 6/4... 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium.

Ti can be colored at least 2 ways... one is electrical anodizing, which is very consistant and the other is heat coloring with a welding torch, forge flame, maybe gas stove, etc.

colors essentially progress from bronze to blue to yellow, purplish, maybe green.

the coloring on Ti is somewhat durable but can be scratched off and becomes dull when oiled (skin oil, etc) although washing with soap will return the brilliance of colors.

armor made from Ti would be lighter for the same thickness as steel, basically as strong, I'm not sure what type of steel is commonly used. More rust resistant too. Certainly will be much, much more expensive.

[Skofnung]

From what I am to understand, Ti is not a very good blade material. It simply lacks the edge-holding properties that steel has.

That is not to say that it would not make good armor, I know nothing about that area. But as far as Blademaking goes Ti is not great, or even good. Please see:

http://swordforum.com/metallurgy/titanium.html

Perhaps one day they will find a majik alloy and they will be able to make it work. I hope so, a superblade would be das bomben!

[Glamdring]

Yes, from what research I have done so far, Ti doesn't seem like a good blade material (limited application for non magnetic knife blades IIRC). There are some alloys that are hard and hold a good edge, but they are brittle. There are also some softer alloys but they won't work for blades either, might work for chain mail.

For Chain mail though it might work, would be a PITA to make though I think. I know there are some arguements for softer iron/steel for chain mail, softer more likely to deform under a blow but not break and actually might help distribute force over wider area.


BTW I am looking into this more as a semi plausable idea for a novel I am working on.

Any ideas for exotic blade materials that are better than steel for knifes or swords?

[Harry Tuttle]

Ferrium C69 (http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.02/dragonslayer.html)

[Harry Tuttle]

Ferrium C69 (http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.02/dragonslayer.html)

[Glamdring]

Okay, any even more Exotic? :D

Anyone use Platnum/Irridum alloys?

[hso]

Cobalt alloys such as Stellite, Tallonite, Dendritic, and GBH
http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/cobalt_misc.html
http://www.francineetchings.com/kitchen.htm
http://www.simonichknives.com/midtech.htm
http://www.kvnet.org/knives/ph5.htm

Ti alloy knives from Mission Knives
http://missionknives.com/Indexframes.html

BeTiAl metalic glass like Clark's "Liquid Metal"
http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/clark_model_10.html

[Bemidjiblade]

I think that the liquid metal blade sounded really cool, but I guess the reality doesn't compare.

Steel may not be fancy or new, but it seems to me that it remains the best for a good blade.