How To Sharpen Titanium Coated Knife?

Many types of knife steels and materials are available, and it’s not always easy to tell which ones are good and which ones you should avoid. For example, titanium is one of the more exotic and exciting materials in knife making.

And those who regularly use the knives wonder how to sharpen titanium coated knife? Unfortunately, there is no easy solution. Titanium is an exceptionally tough metal but also a difficult to sharpen. A blade made entirely of titanium requires a full re-grinding when it loses its edge, rather than just a quick polish.

Despite titanium knives’ hardness and the difficulty of sharpening them, they are exceptionally durable and require little in the way of upkeep once they’ve gained a cutting edge. Everything you need to know about sharpening titanium knives is included in this article.

Key Takeaways

• Titanium doesn’t stick to anything, so it doesn’t rust or wear down quickly.
• Titanium, while very reactive, is also a very sturdy metal.
• You can easily clean titanium with liquid dish soap or window cleaner.
• Dry the knife with a soft, clean cloth after cleaning.
• Make sure always to use gentle pressure when stashing the knife.
• Never use bleach or chlorine-based solutions as they will damage the blade.

What is titanium coating?

Titanium coatings are thin layers of titanium oxide applied to hard surfaces like metal, glass, or ceramic. Coatings are typically applied to materials to increase their longevity and resilience.

Titanium coatings can also improve the material’s appearance by making it look more refined. A technique called vacuum deposition is commonly used to produce titanium coatings.

Coatings made of titanium are incredibly long-lasting and durable. Additionally, they are resistant to heat, chemicals, and corrosion, making them useful in areas where materials must withstand severe environments.

How can you sharpen a titanium coated knife?

A knife with a titanium coating is easy to sharpen. However, you need a sharpening stone, some water, and some time. Here are the steps for sharpening a titanium blade:

• Gather up a dry and clean stone for sharpening. Too much water will cause the titanium particles to clog your stone, making it useless.
• Sharpen the knife from the blade to the tip, using minimal pressure and a sweeping motion. It is better to sharpen the whole blade, not just one edge.
• After washing the knife in clean water, dry it with a clean cloth.
• Then check if the knife is sharp from the hilt to the tip. If it isn’t sharp enough, then repeat the steps.

The optimal angle for sharpening a knife is around 15 degrees. To keep the blade in good condition, you should cut with smooth, continuous motions and a consistent amount of pressure.

Why would a titanium coated knife need to be sharpened?

As with any knife, a titanium-coated blade will become dull with usage and needs sharpening. It’s riskier to use a knife that’s too dull or blunt since you can accidentally cut yourself.

Although the knife’s titanium coating makes it more long-lasting, it does nothing to improve the blade’s sharpness or keep it from growing dull. Some people have noticed that titanium-coated blades need sharpening more often than their uncoated counterparts.

Since the coating can make it more difficult to sharpen the blade, this is the case. Thus, if you have a knife with a titanium coating, you need to sharpen it frequently to preserve the edge in good shape.

Pros & cons of using titanium coated knife

You can use titanium-coated knives coated in a variety of situations. There are advantages and drawbacks to using such sharp knives. Here are some of them:

Pros of titanium coated knife

• Titanium coating makes blades durable for slicing tough meats and vegetables.
• Knives with a titanium coating resist rust and corrosion for a much longer lifespan.
• These blades weigh next to nothing, making them convenient to bring anywhere.
• A non-stick coating on the blade helps keep food from getting stuck.
• Knives coated in titanium, which have a lower resistance ratio than steel, can be used with less pressure when slicing through food.

Cons of titanium coated knife

• Knives with titanium coatings cost far more than their traditional ones.
• If the titanium coating wears away, the underlying metal can rust.
• It takes more effort to sharpen one of these knives than a regular blade.

Titanium coated knife sharpen method

There are probably several different techniques for sharpening titanium blades. Using tools such as Japanese water stones, whetstones, scissors, ceramics, and aluminum oxide stones has certain benefits but also drawbacks.

Instead, you can choose between two alternatives that are easier on the blade’s coating without sacrificing performance:

Using Diamond Rod knife sharpener

There are a plethora of viable choices available. A diamond rod is a good option if you seek a faster alternative. Diamond rods are easier to use and more commonly available than other rods.

The method used is straightforward. Cut the diamond rod in half by holding it at one end and the knife at the other, then slicing it in the middle. Keep the incline below 30 degrees at all times. The level of the angle will depend on the extent of the blade damage and the desired level of sharpness.

While the rough edges of titanium knives retain their sharpness for longer than the straight edges, the latter wear out sooner. However, they could appear to be difficult to sharpen. The diamond sharpener needs to be held precisely at the same angle as the original edge and then dragged slowly in the direction of the edge. You may need to keep up this pattern for several minutes to sharpen the titanium knife blade.

Using an abrasive pad

Now slide the blade smoothly up to the tip by stroking the pad. It takes patient, steady, and light strokes to sharpen a knife to perfection. The residues can also be removed by gently rubbing them back.

Alternatively, you can sharpen a titanium knife with an abrasive pad 8 inches by 2 inches. Put the knife down on the pad’s abrasive side for a moment. A quarter’s height with an angle of fewer than 45 degrees is ideal.

Do this five times and your knife will be as sharp as a razor’s edge. In addition to being safe for your fingertips, this method works beautifully with titanium blades.

Sandpaper

Sometimes the best tool for the job is wet sandpaper. However, a quality sanding pad is convenient and cost-effective.

The procedure is straightforward:

• Get some sandpaper.
• Track down a discarded plank of wood.
• Fasten the sandpaper to the board with clamps or pins.
• Sharpen the blade by passing it over the sandpaper or across its face.

Maintaining a relative angle of fewer than 30 degrees and switching sides after five passes are necessary. As the angle decreases, the amount of material removed increases; hence a sharper edge is achieved. After you’ve reached the desired sharpness with the rougher grit, polish it to perfection with the finer grits. Using this approach requires much more time and effort, but it’s well worth it.

See Also: Does Ace Hardware Sharpen knives?

Common mistakes while sharpening titanium-coated knives

One common mistake is to sharpen a titanium-coated knife with a steel sharpener. The protective layer may wear away over time.

Sharpening a knife with a titanium coating requires additional force. Since the coating is more complex than the underlying metal, more effort is needed to get a practical edge.

An incorrectly acute angle of sharpening. Too high of an angle when sharpening a titanium-coated knife might damage the edge. 

When sharpening a titanium knife, consistency is critical. To achieve this, maintain a constant angle and pressure. The edge could be damaged or become uneven if you aren’t consistent.

See Also: Where Are The Cooking Guild Knives Made?

See Also: Are Wusthof Knives Worth It?

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Even though knives with a titanium coating are easy maintenance and keep their edge for a long time, they will eventually dull and need sharpening. If it happens, we hope you know how to sharpen a titanium-coated knife. Titanium-coated knives is safe to sharpen in the kitchen or at home. You need to employ suitable methods and equipment. You won’t have any trouble sharpening the edge of the knife either.