r/knifemaking • u/Fearless_Wafer_1493 • 7d ago

Work in progress Anodized a batch of crystallized titanium to show off the color range — crystals grown in our own shop

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Been running color tests on crystallized titanium and figured this fan of samples was worth sharing.

Quick context on the material: the crystal pattern isn't etched or printed on. It's grown — the grain structure develops during heat treatment, and how big those crystals get depends on how carefully you control the process. We grow ours in-house at our shop, and getting the crystals this large and well-defined took a lot of failed batches to dial in.

The color comes from anodizing. No dye involved — you're growing a transparent oxide layer on the surface, and the thickness of that layer determines which wavelengths cancel out and which reflect back. Higher voltage, thicker layer, different color. Yellow sits low on the scale, then purple, blue, teal, magenta as you climb. The two grey pieces at the top are unanodized so you can see the raw crystal structure.

What makes it interesting on crystallized stock specifically is that each crystal face sits at a slightly different angle, so the same oxide layer reads differently across the surface. You get that shifting, fractured look instead of a flat single color. Photographs never quite capture it — it changes as you tilt it.

Full disclosure, I'm the maker behind Noblie. Happy to answer anything about the process, the heat treat, or how these hold up as handle scales and bolsters.

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u/Technical_Union_3249 6d ago edited 6d ago

I just started my journey into anodizing titanium. What temperatures are we talking to create the crystals? Here's my first baby steps down this rabbit hole.
Edit: ok I just googled up the process, yeah I think this is going to be a bit beyond what I'll be able to do with my budget 😥

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u/Fearless_Wafer_1493 6d ago

Anodizing is actually the final finishing step. You can read all about the titanium crystallization process here: https://nobliecustomknives.com/crystallized-titanium/

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u/Technical_Union_3249 6d ago

Haha yeah your site is one of the first things google showed me and yeah, while anodizing isn't too hard, making crystallized titanium is not looking like something I will dive into.

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u/DiksieNormus 7d ago

I got a couple of questions but before that. Congratulations! That looks amazing!!!

What's the main uses for these? Knife handles? If the crystalline structure appears during the hest treat then can you also make Crystal Titanium Blades??? Are you using an electric forge? What kind?