Non-ferrous metals for knives

  ALUMINUM (Alloy 6061)

A light weight metal being used extensively by the elite folder makers for its strength and properties that contribute to its affinity for a high polish using a 312 LEA compound

Sheet	.032", .040" .125", .190" x 6" x 12" and 12" x 12"
Round Stock	1/8", 5/32", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 7/8", 1" 1-1/8", 1-1/4" x 12"
Tubing	1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 7/32", 1/4", 9/32", x 12"

  BRASS (Cutlers yellow brass)

Flat Bar	All sizes available in 6" length 1/16" x 1-1/2" x 12" 1/8" x 3/4", x 1", x 2" x 12" x 3" x 12" 3/16" x 3/4", and x 1" x 1-1/2" and x 2" x 12" 1/4" x 1-1/4" and x 3/4", 1" and x 1-1/2" x 12" 1/4" x 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1-1/2", 4" x 12" 3/8" x 3/4", x 1", x 1-1/2" x 4" x 12" 1/2" x 1-1/4" and x 1", x 1-1/2" and x 3/4", x 4" x 12" 3/4" x 1" and x 1-1/2" and x 4" x 12" 1" x 1" x 12"
Hex Bar	1-1/8" x 12"
Sheets	1/4", 1/32", 0.40", 1/16" x 5" x 10" 1/32", 1/16",3/32", 1/8" x 6" x 6" and 12" x12" 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 1/4" x 6" x 6" .020", .032", .040", .050", .062", .090", .125" x 6" x 12" .020", .032", .040", .050", .064", .094", .125" x 3", 6" x 6" .020", .032", .040", .050", .064", .094", .125" x 6", 12" x 12"
Round stock	1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 7/8", 1", 1-1/8" 1-1/4" x 6" 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16" x 12" 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16" x 12" 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1" x 12" .020", 1/32" 3/64", 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 7/8", 1" 1-1/8", 1-1/4" x 12"
Tubes Round	1/4", 3/16" x 12" 1/4", 3/16", 5/16" x 12" 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 7/32", 1/4" 9/32", 5/16", 3/8" x 12"
Tubes Square	1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 7/32", 1/4" x 12"

  Stellite 6K

Stellite 6K is a Non-Steel Cobalt alloy - Flexible material with very good wear resistance, it is practically corrosion resistant. Stellite 6K, used in industry for cutting knives, and saw teeth is sometimes used by knife makers. Very expensive.
Used by David Boye for his diving knives.

  COPPER (ALLOY 110)

Flat Bar	1/8" x 1-1/2" x 12" 3/16" x 1" x 12" 1/4" x 3/4" x 12" 3/8" x 3/4" and x 1-1/2" x 12"
Sheet	.027", .032", .043" x 6" x 12" and 12" x 12"
Round stock	1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16" x 12"
Tubing	1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32" x 12"

  CERAMICS

Numerous knives have been offered with ceramic blades. Usually, those blades are very very brittle, and cannot be sharpened by the user. However, they hold an edge well (Boker and Kyocera).
Kevin McClung recently came out with a ceramic composite knife blade that much tougher than the previous ceramics, tough enough to actually be useful as a knife blade for most jobs.
It is also user-sharpenable, and holds an edge incredibly well.
Used by Boker, Kyocera, Kevin McClung

  DURALUMINUM

This material is Aluminum alloy. It contains less Copper and more Chromium and Zinc than the general run of the aluminum. Used extensively in the aircraft manufacturing for its increased strength and durability of finish.
It can maintain it's high polish. In knife making, general use is for light weight pocket knives etc.
It is hard to find - being displaced by Titanium.

  MOCUME

This is pattern welded alloy from Copper/Brass/Silver/Nickel-Silver.

Alloy	Pattern	Layers	Size
Brass/Copper	Straight grain	27	1/8" thick
Nickel-Silver/Brass	Ladder pattern	25	1/8" thick
	Ladder, Random, Raindrop	-	3/16" x 1-1/3" and 1/2" x 3/4"

  NICKEL SILVER (18%)

Flat Bar	1/4" and 3/8" x 3/4" x 6" and 12" 1/4" x 3/4" and 1" x 6" and 12" ---- 1/4" x 2" x 6" 3/8" x 3/4" and 1" x 6" and 12" ---- 3/8" x 1" x 12"
Sheet	.016", .020", .032", .040", .064", .083", .093", 1/8", 1/4" x 6" x 6" .016", .020", .032", .040", .064", .083", .093", 1/8", 1/4" x 6" x 12" .025", .032", .040" x 5" x 10" .016" x 5" x 12" .020", 1/32", 3/32", .040", 1/4" x 6" x 12" 1/32", 3/32", .040", 1/4" x 6" x 6" 1/16" x 6" x 4-7/8" - 1/16" x 12" x 4-7/8" - 1/16" x 12" x 9-7/8" 1/4" x 6" x 24" .020" and .050" x 6" x 8" and x 8" x 12" .032", .040" x 6" x 6" and x 6" x 12" .064", .096", 1/8", 3/16" x 6" x 3" and 6" x 6" and x 6" x 12" 1/4", 3/8" x 6" x 4" and 6" x 6" and x 6" x 12" 1/2" x 4" x 6" and x 4" x 12"
Round stock	1/16", 3/32", .128", 5/32", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16" x 6" and 12" 5/16" and 1" x 6" and 12"
Tubing	1/4" x 12" 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 5/16", x 12"

  STERLING SILVER

Pinning Wire	.020", .025", .032", .040", .051", .064", .080", .102", .128" x 1"
Twist Wire	.055", .067", .102", .188" x 1"
Tubing	.064", .071", .084", .125" x 1"

 303 STAINLESS

Bars	1/4" x 3/4" and 1-1/4" --- 3/8" x 3/4" --- 1/2" and 3/4" x 12" 1/8", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2" x 3/4", 1" 2" x 12"
Tubing	1/4" x 12"
Round stock	1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4"; x 12" 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 1/4", 1-1/8", 1-1/4", 1-1/2" x 12" 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 7/8", 1", 1-1/8", 1-1/4", 1-3/8" x 6" and 12"

  304 STAINLESS

Bars	1/8" x 3/4" and 1-1/2" x 12" 1/4" x 3/4" and 1-1/2" x 12" 3/8" x 3/4" x 12"
Sheet	.032", .048", .120" x 6" x 12" .032", .048" x 12" x 12"
Tubing	1/4" and 3/8" x 12" 1/8", 3/16", 1/4" 5/16" 3/8" x 12"
Round stock	1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4" 5/16" x 12"

 410 STAINLESS

410 sheet	Width="12" .025", .032", .040", .050" x 6" x 12" and 12" x 12" .025", .032", .040" x 12" x 12" .032" x 12" x 12" Available, call for price and size.
4104 sheet	.040" x 12" x 12"

 416 STAINLESS

Bars	1/8" x 3/4" x 6" 1/8" x 3/4" and x 1" and Width="12" 1-1/4" x 12" 3/16" x 1" and 1-1/2" x 12" 1/4" x 3/4" and 1" x 6" and Width="12" 12" and 1-1/2" x 12" 3/8" x 3/4" and 1" x 6" and Width="12" 12" - x 3/4" and 1-1/4" x 12" 1/2" x 1-1/4" x 12" x 1" and 1-1/2" x 12" 3/4" x 1" x 12" 1" x 2" x 12"
Round stock	1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16" x 12" 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32" x 12" 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 1/4" x 12"

  TITANIUM (6 AL 4V)

Newer titanium alloys can be hardened near 50 Rc, and at that hardness seem to take something approaching a useful edge. It is extremely rust-resistant, and is non-magnetic. Gaining popularity in expensive dive knives these days, because the SEALs use it as their knife when working around magnetic-detonated mines.
Used by Mission knives - Tygrys makes a knife with a steel edge sandwiched by titanium.

Lower grade is still sold as a sheet material used mostly for folder frames.

Flat Bar	3/16" x 1-1/2" 1/4" x 1-1/2"
Round stock	1/8" 5/32", 3/16", 1/4", .090", .100", 1/8" 1/32", 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 5/16"
Sheet	.032", .040", .050", 1/16", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2" 0.032" - 0.040" - 0.050" - 0.093" - 0.125" - x - 6 x 6 - 6 x 12 - 12 x 12 0.030" - 0.040" - 0.050" - 0.060" - 0.100" x 6" x 12" and 12" x 12" 0.040" to 3/16" random size sheets, stock varies.

  COMMERCIALLY PURE TITANIUM

Titanium is available in pieces smaller than one square foot.

Thickness

.090", 1/8", .140", .160", .190"

 TITANIUM PVD COATINGS

Physical vapor deposition makes blades much tougher - in the 74 - 90 Rc range of hardness and more corrosion resistant.
It also produces a colorful side effect in beautiful shades of green, blue, light or dark bronze, gold, black, rose and rainbow, that will not chip or peel off.
There is also a Chromium Nitride PVD process, that leaves a stainless steel look.
Titanium Carbon Nitrate (TiCN) multiple layers - 90 Rc - Black, Rose, Light and Dark Bronze.
The coatings are anywhere from 80 millionths to 0.0001" thick per side.
The edge last about 2-3x as long as the uncoated one, but eventually goes dull.
Once you sharpen it, of course the 90 Rc coating is ground off and the blade is only at its original hardness. Hone only on one side of the edge to maintain the coating - corrosion resistance, wearability and color on the other side of the edge.

How is it done
The Titanium is heated to its vaporization point and the resulting gases condense on the surface of the blade heated in a three-chamber vacuum. The vacuum eliminates all dust and dirt, which could show up on the finished surface.
The blade to be coated is never heated beyond its temper point to avoid softening of the steel. It is important to know the grade of the steel and its Rc hardness before the process begins.


How can you get your blade coated
The cost is about $2 for a blade 4" long and 1" high, with a minimum order of $50.00
There is 25% cleaning charge assessed to any knife requiring special pre cleaning.
Before you ship the knife, disassemble it - do not sent handles. Available is Gold and Black, Green is not available and the rest of colors on special order.
Each PVD machine is exclusively devoted to one color to maintain the color's purity and each machine cost about $1.5 million.
Since the coating is so microscopic in thickness, the final finish will be the same as on the blade before coating ( matte, satin, mirror etc.) Every unnoticeable scratch will become highlighted on the gold or black blade. The plastics are not coated.

For more info contact:
ITH, Tigold Division, Dept.Bl, attn: Darrell Lewis, 105 York St.,Kennebunk, ME 04043

Listed in the catalog of:
Sheffield's Knifemakers Supply
Texas Knifemaker's Supply
K & G Finishing Supplies
HALPERN TITANIUM

  Stellite 6K

Stellite 6K is a Non-Steel Cobalt alloy - Flexible material with very good wear resistance, it is practically corrosion resistant. Stellite 6K, used in industry for cutting knives, and saw teeth is sometimes used by knifemakers. Very expensive.
Used by David Boye for his diving knives.

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