Giving polished Titanium a 'Dull' finish.

swingshot · Feb 12, 2008

This is a slightly obscure question, and what i'm thinking of may not be possible.

I've just worked some scratches out a TI handled knife, and as a result the handle is rather more polished than it was before.

If i understand correctly, Titanium tends to dull a little but is there anything i could apply to the Titanium that would give it a flatter, 'greyer' finish.

Hoping to keep the handles smooth, so would rather avoid bead blasting.

Thanks for any advice.

Ed Caffrey · Feb 12, 2008

A couple of ways I can think of....

1. Sand/Bead blasting

2. A wire wheel (which will give you an "orange peel" finish

bobby.t · Feb 12, 2008

Why not just sand it with whatever grit sandpaper corresponds to the finish you'd like?

george tichbourne · Feb 12, 2008

Titanium tends not to corrode but heat colouring or anodizing will do the job if bead blasting or sanding is not your choice.

Keith_H · Feb 12, 2008

get a piece of fine scotch-brite, Like the jeweller's rouge grit. leaves a nice matte finish.

swingshot · Feb 13, 2008

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Ed Caffrey said:
2. A wire wheel (which will give you an "orange peel" finish

Could that be achieved using a Dremel tool and one of the wire brush wheel attachments? (Either brass or steel?)

Thanks

howiesatwork · Feb 13, 2008

Cook in Hot water with Oxyclean for about an hour.

Ed Caffrey · Feb 13, 2008

Not sure if a wire dremel wheel would be stiff enough, but you might give it a try. I suspect you might wear the bristles off a dremel wheel before you get much accomplished. I use either a stiff 6" wire wheel running at 1725rpm (which gives a coarse orange peel finish), or a 10" wire wheel (with finer wires) for a "softer" orange peel finish.