Aluminum vs Titanium handles

[Popsickle]

eyeing the new Rok when it comes out, and I can’t help but wonder the difference between a titanium framelock and an aluminum framelock? I love the aluminum handles on my Microtechs. Is there any negative to one or the other?

 

[tiguy7]

I don’t understand how you can make a leaf spring out of Aluminum. I can’t think of any applications in which Aluminum springs are used. I have never seen an Aluminum coil spring. Does anyone share in my confusion?

 

[NikolayV]

And I have not seen an titanium spring but ...

 

[SV-97]

there's already a thread like that https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/titanium-vs-aluminium.897763/
I'd think what speaks for Ti is ease of anodization (No dye needed), stronger/probably will hold longer(I could imagine the Al getting really brittle after repeated flex) and of course it sounds way cooler and is a more premium material

 

[microbe]

In my opinion, if you are going for extreme hard use, pay some more and get the Ti version. If you are a regular knife user, the Ti is a bit overkill. The Al handles are lighter, can be anodized in more colors (You do not regularly see black anodized Ti handles), and are better priced for the same design.
I seen some hard use test fails with the Lionsteel knives, but they where done with the weaker Al version instead of the stronger Ti version. All I can say is those guys that test the weakest version of a knife, and then complain it fails, loose my trust for them as reviewer immediately.
I for one applaud Lionsteel for bringing various of their models to market with the option of Ti or Al, giving buyers a choice depending on their needs and budget.

 

[Barrettboy]

I've got one of their aluminium integrals and I have no complaints. From memory the guys on BHQ had doubts when their Al integrals first came out, but after a year they said they'd come around, and they approve. But like Microbe said, they're not hard use knives. Don't try to saw through a girder or pry rocks apart and then whinge when an aluminium handle fails.