Mkotch

I think so! They may cost more, but I get more mileage out of the ones I've used.

Onebyone

I always put the date on the blade when I change it. Usually I have to change a blade because I hit the ruler edge or cut over a pin. Some last for lots of yardage cutting before the skip starts some last less than a day.

peaceandjoy

The first titanium blades I tried were Olfas. I didn't see any difference from their regular ones, honestly, other than being more expensive. If fact, right after I put one in, I ran over something - don't remember what - and ruined one of them. That made me angry with myself.

I've only used Headly titanium blades from Amazon for a few years now. I think they are $16 for 15 blades, so an incredible deal. They do have ones that are not titanium, but given the low price I am paying for these, I have not tried their "regular" ones. After so many years of pricey blades, I still have to remind myself that these are not as expensive and it is OK to change out when I start getting skips.

aashley333

I went with Headleys. 10 for $11. My blades don't wear out. Usually, I ruin them myself by dropping on floor! So, this price is right! TY

quiltingcotton

I wasn't impressed. Name brand regular blades seemed to last longer. I used a new Titanium blade to cut batting and it only lasted a day. My name brand ones lasts for months cutting batting and fabric.

mkc

Just as a comment - the blades themselves aren't titanium. The underlying metal is still steel. The blades are coated with a wear layer of titanium nitride. It's harder than regular steel, but it's also incredibly thin. It's usually applied using PVD (physical vapor deposition).

Fun fact - many gold-colored watches are also coated in ti-nitride to make them look gold, but also have much better wear properties.

QuiltE

@mkc ... I am one of the people who are sensitive to the cheaper metals, and thus, sometimes look for titanium, as I know it is a safe one for me. One example being metal frames for eyeglasses. Now you have me wondering? How do I really know I am getting what I want? Or is the coating what I have been getting?

mkc

In the case of prescription glasses, you should be getting fully titanium frames. They're made in part specifically because they're hypoallergenic and safe for those who have metal allergies.

It's the often-inexpensive things that will be gold in color that use TiN (ti-nitride) coatings (although frames not labelled titanium but appear gold in color could be using the coating to give them the gold color.)

QuiltE

@mkc So ... if the frames are gold and they say they are titanium, then they are just coated? Or could the frame itself be titanium with the gold coating? When I think of titanium frames, I think of grey/silver in colour, not gold. This is all one reason I hate having to get new frames. Thanks for helping me to understand more about it all. Time is a bit on my side, as I am not due for updates until this fall/winter.

mkc

@QuiltE They would be both if the frames themselves are labeled "titanium". Titanium metal frames with TiN coating to make them gold colored. TiN should be hypoallergenic as well, and is much more durable than gold plating for those who prefer the gold color.

If a sewing needle or rotary blade is labeled "titanium", but has a gold colored tip on the needle or the blade itself is gold colored, the underlying metal is some form of steel and the gold color is a TiN coating.

(I used to work with equipment that did physical and chemical vapor deposition, and thought it was cool to learn about Ti-nitride's various uses.)