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Vargo Titanium Knives
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Vargo Titanium Knives
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Product Description
Both of these Vargo knives are made from Japanese titanium alloy, a material that’s stronger and harder than pure titanium, and offers better edge retention without the use of a carbide coating. Each has a wharncliffe design for excellent point control and cutting power, and a light-sleek design that weighs just 1 ounce Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downnamhod
1991
Aug 1, 2017
I assume this is mostly for pairing with everyones titanium sporks? I don't really understand the niche this fills. You can get a decent knife that only weighs a few ounces more for around this price.
Someone explain this to my simple self. I am genuinely interested, not trying to be negative about the product.
Someone explain this to my simple self. I am genuinely interested, not trying to be negative about the product.
designpassion
9
Feb 28, 2018
namhodNot sure, honestly but I'm pretty sure it's better than a butter knife. This one is beta ti and it works great!
FeebleOldMan
839
Feb 14, 2017
While the knife blade is not pure titanium, at a Rockwell hardness of C 50, it's very soft and won't hold an edge for long. See the following link for more info: http://quantumchymist.blogspot.com/2014/02/why-arent-more-blades-made-of-titanium.html
Mark
3186
Admin User
Jun 13, 2014
There's a lot of interesting discussion about this from our poll page: https://www.massdrop.com/vote/ultralight-titanium-knife/talk
Summary:
PROS:
Demuredemeanor said: While certainly a good notice for those who are newer to knives, I personally like the idea of a titanium knife for their use in marine environments; salt water and sea side knife use can make for constant cleaning.
tskiller said: Titanium isn't about hardness, its about weight. The Izula is almost three times as heavy as the Vargo or DFK. If you are a backpacker and going ultralight, every gram matters.
Chrome said: Pending the results of the poll, I'm perfectly willing to take on a high-maintenance knife edge. I won't have to worry about rust, and I have the benefit of a nice diamond wheel sharpener at home that produces results I'm entirely pleased with.
Lepepwerdna said: Titanium carbide / nitride is very hard: ~9 on the Mohs scale. This is approximately equal to sapphire. Diamond is 10 for reference. This is also much harder than most steels when hardened. This is why Carbides / nitrides are used in cutting tools for working hard metals such as steel. Most knife blades will have a Rockwell hardness between 50-60, this is about equal to 3-3.5 on the Mohs scale.
CONS:
Connguy said: Titanium is a very strong metal, but not remotely as hard as modern steel (strength != hardness). This means it makes a very poor choice for a knife, because it can't hold an edge
Toxic said: True. A pure titanium is pretty soft, so in order to make it harder, alloys are used (the most common is 6AL4V). But even best alloys can't compete with steel in hardness (which is main requirement for a cutting edge material). Even chemically hardened titanium alloys are inferior to decent steel.
Synthful said: It's also quite brittle. The allure of a Ti knife isn't it's functionality, it's the weight and feel. In essence, it's a collector's knife. You could use it here and there, but mostly it will just be a talking piece.
Summary:
PROS:
Demuredemeanor said: While certainly a good notice for those who are newer to knives, I personally like the idea of a titanium knife for their use in marine environments; salt water and sea side knife use can make for constant cleaning.
tskiller said: Titanium isn't about hardness, its about weight. The Izula is almost three times as heavy as the Vargo or DFK. If you are a backpacker and going ultralight, every gram matters.
Chrome said: Pending the results of the poll, I'm perfectly willing to take on a high-maintenance knife edge. I won't have to worry about rust, and I have the benefit of a nice diamond wheel sharpener at home that produces results I'm entirely pleased with.
Lepepwerdna said: Titanium carbide / nitride is very hard: ~9 on the Mohs scale. This is approximately equal to sapphire. Diamond is 10 for reference. This is also much harder than most steels when hardened. This is why Carbides / nitrides are used in cutting tools for working hard metals such as steel. Most knife blades will have a Rockwell hardness between 50-60, this is about equal to 3-3.5 on the Mohs scale.
CONS:
Connguy said: Titanium is a very strong metal, but not remotely as hard as modern steel (strength != hardness). This means it makes a very poor choice for a knife, because it can't hold an edge
Toxic said: True. A pure titanium is pretty soft, so in order to make it harder, alloys are used (the most common is 6AL4V). But even best alloys can't compete with steel in hardness (which is main requirement for a cutting edge material). Even chemically hardened titanium alloys are inferior to decent steel.
Synthful said: It's also quite brittle. The allure of a Ti knife isn't it's functionality, it's the weight and feel. In essence, it's a collector's knife. You could use it here and there, but mostly it will just be a talking piece.
Vexs
98
Jun 13, 2014
Hm, I would think that titanium, as a softer metal (by volume) would loose it's edge rather quickly. To clarify what I mean by volume, titanium is 40% stronger than steel by weight, but is less strong than steel by volume. This is caused because titanium is much lighter than steel, and thus acquires it's reputation as a stronger metal, even though it is weaker, in these sense that with two equally sized bars one of titanium, and one of steel, the titanium bar will bend easier, but be lighter.
So I guess if you don't need a super-sharp knife this would be a good option, and I might buy it because how often do you need a razor-sharp blade?
So I guess if you don't need a super-sharp knife this would be a good option, and I might buy it because how often do you need a razor-sharp blade?
Rory_Dudley
17
Mar 18, 2018
They had my attention until I saw it was only hardened to Rockwell C 50. I didn't know they even made a knife that soft. You would spend all your time sharpening it. I will stick with my 1.8 oz Leatherman Micra keychain multi tool.
JonasO
197
Mar 21, 2018
Rory_DudleyThey don't make steel knives that soft; this is the limitation of working with titanium. Titanium is strong, but not hard. Certainly not hard enough to make a good blade.
Kavik
5531
Jun 11, 2018
JonasOPretty sure I've had some steel that soft... Think they were stamped as "Pakistan Steel" lol
But, seriously, this is ridiculously gimmicky. There's no need for a titanium blade that can't hold an edge, I don't care if you are one of these 'ultralight' fanatics... That's a dumb place to try to save yourself an ounce
But, seriously, this is ridiculously gimmicky. There's no need for a titanium blade that can't hold an edge, I don't care if you are one of these 'ultralight' fanatics... That's a dumb place to try to save yourself an ounce
ReggieM
70
Sep 8, 2017
I got the fixed blade one. I was worried about the corrosion resistance of the clip on the knife and rivets of the sheath. I've had the them soaking in salt water for about 3 weeks occasionally taking them out to let them dry. Everything looks good.
KennyS
138
Apr 17, 2017
I purchased the folder version last time it was on here. It didnt come super sharp and I dont feel comfortable sharpening it. It is very light though. In terms of quality, it's meh imo. The liner lock is somewhat hard to work with, the knife isnt very smooth opening/closing. It's become more of a novelty knife for me, wouldnt really use it in everyday type of situations. For the price, if you are wanting a knife that you can actually use then I would keep looking.
kennyj
45
Oct 9, 2014
Also, there are some titanium knives that are "carbidized." This means a layer of tungsten carbide is laid down along one or both sides of the edge. Tungsten carbide being harder than any conventional steel, it turns the titanium into a slicing monster. When done along one side of the edge, it actually becomes self-sharpening when cutting abrasive (and normally edge-destroying) materials like cardboard - as the titanium wears away, fresh carbide is exposed. The hard/brittle carbide combined with the soft/tough titanium produces a great light-use slicer - you won't go shopping any logs with it, but you can expect it to last indefinitely through light tasks.
I'm working on a DIY solution to carbidize this knife (assuming the drop still happens.) If not, there are a few knifemakers out there who produce carbidized Ti knives. Daniel Fairly is the first that comes to mind. We might be able to find one who can produce in volume, or maybe even get these modified en masse in a special drop.
I'm working on a DIY solution to carbidize this knife (assuming the drop still happens.) If not, there are a few knifemakers out there who produce carbidized Ti knives. Daniel Fairly is the first that comes to mind. We might be able to find one who can produce in volume, or maybe even get these modified en masse in a special drop.
slaithe
14
Nov 18, 2015
kennyjActually, really want to like this knife... Love that it's ti, especially the single bevel. Would make sharpening a BREEZE...
But the clip looks like it's in a spot that would just get in the way and be uncomfortable while sitting in the hand... So, sorry but I'll pass guess.
But the clip looks like it's in a spot that would just get in the way and be uncomfortable while sitting in the hand... So, sorry but I'll pass guess.
Dibutil
1
Jun 11, 2018
HRC=50 - is it a joke or misprint? Too low. An average steak knife has at least HRC=55!
iwendt
108
Jun 14, 2018
HRC applies just fine. If they listed the Rockwell B hardness, most people would be even more confused since other knives all have their hardness listed as Rockwell C. That being said, I highly question that this is even 50 Rockwell C. Beta-C titanium which is one of only a few truly hardenable Ti alloys can't even reach that high on the scale and usually tops out at about 46.
Aubreal
46
Jul 31, 2017
Does anyone have experience sharpening this knife? I know that since it's titanium it won't hold an edge for long but that doesn't bother me too much if it can take a good edge when I go to sharpen it... unfortunately I have heard people say that titanium can't get much sharper than a door wedge but I don't have any other source to validate that information.
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