I just yesterday put a mirror finish (close enough) on my spydiechef.
However while just now using it, I noticed some brazen horizontal scratches, which were extremely concerning to see. After all, since finishing the mod work, I've literally only picked it up for pictures and placed it down on my display stand (made of wood). Where did these come from?
Well, as it turns out, wood can scratch titanium! I confirmed by further ruining my finish with another wooden item. Kind of a frustrating way to find out - hand sanding is a real pain. But, now I know, and well they do say knowledge is priceless...
-razehoundNative 5 SE, Para 3 LW, Paramilitary 2, Salt 2 SE, Para 3 LW, Stretch 2 XL, ..........................Spydiechef, AEB-L Mule
I don't think you're actually scratching the titanium itself, because it is one of the hardest metals known to man. However, I do believe that what you may be doing is transferring wood to the titanium finish, not scratching it. I can't comprehend wood of any sort could actually scratch something as hard as titanium. It seems physically impossible. I also be nuts and totally wrong.
I don't think you're actually scratching the titanium itself, because it is one of the hardest metals known to man. However, I do believe that what you may be doing is transferring wood to the titanium finish, not scratching it. I can't comprehend wood of any sort could actually scratch something as hard as titanium. It seems physically impossible. I also be nuts and totally wrong.
The titanium used for knife scales isn't super hard. Ti handle scales will show wear and scratches over time. I'm kind of impressed the OP went for a mirror polish... my bead blasted Chris Reeve handles show wear, I can't imagine trying to keep mirror polished titanium pristine.
Edit to add: I don't want to make it sound like ti scratches crazy easy, but it does wear and a mirror polish on any material makes scratches show that much more easily.
Because desolate places allow us to breathe. And most people don't even know they're out of breath.
I don't think you're actually scratching the titanium itself, because it is one of the hardest metals known to man. However, I do believe that what you may be doing is transferring wood to the titanium finish, not scratching it. I can't comprehend wood of any sort could actually scratch something as hard as titanium. It seems physically impossible. I also be nuts and totally wrong.
Huh? When did that happen? Last time I checked, titanium Rockwelled out around 42 to 43. That's why people want steel lockbar inserts on their titanium framelocks, to keep the lockbar from wearing down, not to keep it from wearing down the blade.
Any wood that has been sanded can have abrasive grit imbedded in the surface, and that will be way harder than titanium.
I don't think you're actually scratching the titanium itself, because it is one of the hardest metals known to man. However, I do believe that what you may be doing is transferring wood to the titanium finish, not scratching it. I can't comprehend wood of any sort could actually scratch something as hard as titanium. It seems physically impossible. I also be nuts and totally wrong.
Huh? When did that happen? Last time I checked, titanium Rockwelled out around 42 to 43. That's why people want steel lockbar inserts on their titanium framelocks, to keep the lockbar from wearing down, not to keep it from wearing down the blade.
Any wood that has been sanded can have abrasive grit imbedded in the surface, and that will be way harder than titanium.
Ti, not to be confused with Adamantium.
So many knives, so few pockets... :)
-Nick
Last in: N5 Magnacut The "Spirit" of the design does not come through unless used. -Sal
Coming from car detailing this doesn't surprise me in the least. Out of curiosity was your wooden stand wiped completely clean before placing the knife on it? Is it finished with polyurethane or another coating that could become embedded with dust and other air born contaminates that settle on the surface? Just because a material is harder on the mohs scale than another material doesn't mean it can't be scratched by the softer material. I would imagine this is closer to marring than scratching, but due to the mirror polish it is extremely noticable. If it's a safe queen you could line your knife stand with plush microfiber, but even that would just be preventive and not a guarantee. Handling the knife in anyway would run the risk of scratching and marring, clipping it in your pocket for the day would likely ruin it.
Titanium alloys like the one Spyderco uses (6Al-4V) have fairly low HRC values of 25—40 (6Al-4V HRC is 32). More pure Ti (grades 1-4), depending on its level of purity, has much higher HRC values of 70—100.
Coming from car detailing this doesn't surprise me in the least. Out of curiosity was your wooden stand wiped completely clean before placing the knife on it? Is it finished with polyurethane or another coating that could become embedded with dust and other air born contaminates that settle on the surface? Just because a material is harder on the mohs scale than another material doesn't mean it can't be scratched by the softer material. I would imagine this is closer to marring than scratching, but due to the mirror polish it is extremely noticable. If it's a safe queen you could line your knife stand with plush microfiber, but even that would just be preventive and not a guarantee. Handling the knife in anyway would run the risk of scratching and marring, clipping it in your pocket for the day would likely ruin it.
I did make sure there wasn't anything on the stand before retesting, same result.
What I will say is that the scratches didn't behave anything like normal scratches. Disappeared basically as soon as I started refinishing, which was a relief to my arm...
-razehoundNative 5 SE, Para 3 LW, Paramilitary 2, Salt 2 SE, Para 3 LW, Stretch 2 XL, ..........................Spydiechef, AEB-L Mule
Is there any chance there is abrasive dust residue on the scales and rubbing them on the furniture just pushed the dust around and scratched the titanium? That’s a lot more likely than wood or polyurethane scratching titanium.
One grain of sand on a wooden surface is enough to scratch metal! My iPad is a testament to this!
My only experience with polished titanium is on the original PITS slipjoint. I dislike how easily it picks up fine scratches, however it is easy to remove them with a green Scotch-Brite pad to leave a type of satin/brushed finish.
Hans Favourite Spydies: Military S90V, PM2 Cruwear, Siren LC200N, UKPK S110V, Endela Wharncliffe K390 Others: Victorinox Pioneer, CRK: L Sebenza, L Inkosi, Umnumzaan
I don't think you're actually scratching the titanium itself, because it is one of the hardest metals known to man. However, I do believe that what you may be doing is transferring wood to the titanium finish, not scratching it. I can't comprehend wood of any sort could actually scratch something as hard as titanium. It seems physically impossible. I also be nuts and totally wrong.
Huh? When did that happen? Last time I checked, titanium Rockwelled out around 42 to 43. That's why people want steel lockbar inserts on their titanium framelocks, to keep the lockbar from wearing down, not to keep it from wearing down the blade.
Yes, the near-100% galling of my Sage2’s lockbar has been downright galling.
When asked which Slysz models I favor, I now say the Swayback because it has a steel insert. I wish all framelocks did.
-Marc (pocketing my JD Smith sprint today)
“Science is not the truth. Science is finding the truth. When science changes its opinion, it didn’t lie to you. It learned more.” - Brené Brown
Native 5 SE, 
Sorry to hear man, hope you can fix it 
Knife nut & Spydie aficionado 
