I have to get creative on this one.

Mark Barone

Well-Known Member
So an Air Force veteran wants me to make a knife using the titanium wing skid plate of a military spy plane. My thoughts are to cut it in half incorporate and use as the scales of the knife. I will use the already drilled holes for the pin. It’s a bit narrow so maybe I need to add resin or border with exotic wood. I’m not sure yet until I get it. Will I have a problem cutting it with my portaband? Can it be shaped a little with a belt sander? I have never cut titanium before. It is going to be a display knife. C5149107-8F23-4ED0-B815-7E8064AC8D20.jpegB0FF5DB5-5502-4F87-91C7-87745229764F.jpeg668AF9DC-0186-4E4F-862C-6709301E80D6.jpeg0E397C57-0BA7-4823-98A8-7C15F26657BD.jpeg
 
I actually kinda like your thoughts with the photo shop design. With already counterbored holes, I'd have to wait to get it in hand and see exactly how they were laid out, but it's screaming for a classy but more "industrial" type fastener. With enough scrap, you could play a lot with finishing.

It should grind ok. Expect lots of pretty bright sparks.
 
I actually kinda like your thoughts with the photo shop design. With already counterbored holes, I'd have to wait to get it in hand and see exactly how they were laid out, but it's screaming for a classy but more "industrial" type fastener. With enough scrap, you could play a lot with finishing.

It should grind ok. Expect lots of pretty bright sparks.
Possibly use them for bolsters. Never worked with it before. Just thinking out loud.


Oh I like that idea. I have never used the fasteners, like Chicago pins, is that what you mean??. How do I determine what size fastener to get? I haven’t received the piece yet but he did say it can be cut so three holes line up exactly . So I am excited about that.
 
Sex bolts or chainring bolts. There's lots of options. They've got flat, domed, chamfered etc., etc., with torx, hex, flat etc., etc., just depends on what you're looking for.
 
What about inlays? Some one on here has done wood with wood inlays. I think it was Gene Kimmi?? You could still use the screw on fasteners and predrilled holes and get the added width you need.
 
What about inlays? Some one on here has done wood with wood inlays. I think it was Gene Kimmi?? You could still use the screw on fasteners and predrilled holes and get the added width you need.
I’m not sure what you mean. Inlay the the titanium skid into the wood or inlay wood into the skid. I am trying to look for ways to add some width. At 1.25 inches it’s a little shy to be a handle.
 
Did he specify the type of knife? Maybe a chef's knife with a WA handle. You could heat color and inlay the left over pieces into the pre cut slots.
 
Make the wood as wide as you want then inlay the Titanium into the wood. This is what I ment. Don't know if you can do it with the Titanium? I also saw a cool video how to anodized Titanium also. That would be a cool affect!2018-01-24_22.40.58.jpg2018-01-24_22.41.47.jpg
 
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