Most Scratch Resistant Ti Finishes?

[Fanch_Man]

Okay, so like most of us here, I love titanium. I also like to have my knives look as new as possible, even if I use them regularly.

With that said, which titanium finishes are the most durable scratch-wise? I know stonewashing is almost certainly top dog, but for those of you who have - and use - a fluted Millie or Native, how does it hold up? Does the standard blasted finish (like on the ti Millie for example) hold up well? I'm even curious if there's a difference in scratch resistance between the apparent brighter stonewashing on the Slysz Bowie vs the more matte stonewashing on the Mantra. Pics are always helpful if you've got em!

Thanks!

[Able Dog]

I don't think there is a finish that necessarily would would improve durability. Unless the Titanium was DLC or PVD coated it is going to remain fairly soft compared to steel.

The best I think would be finishes that at least mask, or hide, scratches well. And for that stonewashed is the best. Satin finishes and bead blasted finishes allow snail trails to stick out.

And Ti anodization can scratch off fairly easily.

The finish on my Fluted Millie is holding up fairly well. I sometimes carry it in the same pocket a safe my keys. The Fluted machining pattern on the handles helps a lot actually. Since there isn't a flat surface and scratches just form on the peaks of the fluting.

[Fanch_Man]

Wow, thanks Able Dog! Awesome answer, and that's killer news that the fluted ti is a strong performer in that area. I've long contemplated picking up the Native 5 fluted ti but feared what damage would be done in-pocket.

Thanks again!

[Xplorer]

Every finish I've tried on Ti handles shows scratches pretty easily. The more uniform the finish is, the easier it is to see the scratches and marks. For example the satin finish Mantra shows marks more readily than the tumbled (stonewashed) finish on the Slysz Bowie. The best bet is to try to hide the scratches and marks and like Able Dog said, for that a tumbled (stonewashed) finish works best because it is the least uniform.

With Ti. handles I've just accepted that they will scratch and I choose to embrace the natural "aging" that shows up in the finish. When I look a the marks on my Ti. handles I almost consider them a badge of honor...I just think...."you can't buy them like that, you have to use them for that to happen".

Best regards,

Chad

[VashHash]

My M4 millie shows scratches and the bottom of the handle is almost mirror polished in some parts from being put in my pocket and pulled out. My K2 is getting a similar treatment but the stone wash makes the scratches blend.

[abbazaba]

Like others said, all you can do is hope to hide scratches, and the finish on the Slysz is the best I've found. Even after riding loose in pocket with my keys 100s of times is still looks great. Finishes like the Mantra or Sebenza show lots of scratches until they essentially get a uniform beating, but lack the final polish that the Slysz has. I'm yet to carry my fluted Native much, but the original owner said he did and it still looks great.

[Fanch_Man]

Awesome - great responses all, and super helpful! Thank you!

[Brock O Lee]

Whatever they did on the Sage 2 and Ti Military, it works really well...

This is after almost 3 years of regular carry, maybe once or twice a week. I do not carry it loose in pocket with stuff like coins, but still, you have to look hard to see any wear on either side. Maybe one or two very faint snail trails. I'm impressed.

[SF Native]

I like ti but don't overlook stainless. My foundry has no scratches that I can see and it gets a lot of pocket time. The ti, yes.
The high polish like the pits is the worst.
The stepped chap has so many surfaces that it doesn't show. Fluted is probably similar.
The mat finishes like mantra, myrtle, chubby, are not too bad, but you can see them.
The dice/ domino is about the best. I don't think that's stonewashed exactly, but close. Hides scratches pretty well.
I can't think of any spydies that have a true stonewash finish (techno maybe?)

[Flipping Addict]

Interesting topic since this has been on my mind a lot lately because some of mine are looking rough and I have mulled over what to do about it. Like someone said, getting scuffed and scratched is normal and unless you treat them like Faberge eggs or something I don't think you can avoid it. And that kind of wear does not bother me. Mine bug the **** out me because I keep my best knives in a jewelry drawer in my safe. Well, one day I was pulling the drawer out and pulled it too far and it fell out and all the knives tumbled to the tile floor bouncing off each other the whole way. My prized babies all got nicked, scratched, and my brand new 2 day old Ti Millie got a dent on one end. Have been sick over it since. Considered selling them all for whatever I could get and quitting the knife habit I was so mad.

But, I figured if it wasn't that drop it would be a drop or finger fumble while pulling out of the pocket or scrape from keys cuz I forgot my knife was hanging in that pocket or something. Sad thing is while most would not notice the wear, when I hold or use them that is ALL I see. I bet some of you can relate.

So, back on topic. I am going to stonewash my Ti Millie using the triangle stones and tumbler from Harbor Freight. I stone washed my Sage 2 using a coffee can and some rocks from the yard sprayed with some Wd40 and it worked great. Perfectly uniform and looked like my Slysz when done. So, I have no fear of doing it. Gonna try the triangle stones from Harbor freight cuz I hear they give a nice deep stone washing like you would see on a ZT. And their's is my favorite.

Will probably do the stone wash this weekend. We'll see....