Pocket Clips - correct metal?

[J S Machine]

I've only done a few pocket clips for some knives I've made. I used 410SS for those, and for some reason I never could get a good heat treat or spring action out of the metal. I always ended up with a clip that would bend and stay bent. And as you all probably know, you have to overbend the clip to get it to hold tension against the handle of the knife, so I'd have to take it off to bend it again and then put it back on.

What are you guys making your clips out of, and what method of heat treat are you using?

Thanks

 

[Keith Willis]

I use Titanium,no heattreat required.

God bless,Keith

 

[J S Machine]

You know I have some Ti that would probably work. Never thought of using that. I'll give it a shot.

Thanks

 

[Erin Burke]

I'm no expert, but I use 0.050" 6al-4v titanium for my clips. It makes for a nice rigid clip but does require a little heat for bending sharp corners.
Erin

 

[J S Machine]

What kind of heat are you talking about? What temp?

Thanks

 

[Don Robinson]

I'm no expert, but I use 0.050" 6al-4v titanium for my clips. It makes for a nice rigid clip but does require a little heat for bending sharp corners.
Erin

That's it. 6AL/4V.

 

[BossDog]

If you bend Ti more than 30 degrees (my experience, not a metal fact) you need to heat it to dull cherry red or it will fatigue or crack the metal. I bend hundreds of Ti clips and use a small propane torch to heat them to dull red before bending. You can feel the metal soften under heat and that is when you bend. The bend will set after it cools to room temp.

 

[J S Machine]

If you bend Ti more than 30 degrees (my experience, not a metal fact) you need to heat it to dull cherry red or it will fatigue or crack the metal. I bend hundreds of Ti clips and use a small propane torch to heat them to dull red before bending. You can feel the metal soften under heat and that is when you bend. The bend will set after it cools to room temp.

Good deal, Thanks Tracey.

 

[Erin Burke]

What kind of heat are you talking about? What temp?

Thanks

I just use a map torch... get it orange at the bend location and bend away. Thinner sections or large radius bends can be done without heat, but tight radius bends can crinkle or separate without it. This has been my experience anyway.

Erin