We’re often asked this question.
Yes, there are several grades of titanium available in the market, classified as Grade 1, 2, 3, and so on, based on the amount of titanium content.
However, this does not mean that Grade 1 is the "best" material. Each grade is suited to specific purposes. Grades 1 to 4 fall under the category of pure titanium. Within this category, as the grade number increases, the material becomes harder.
Why We Use Titanium Grade 2
For our bridge saddles, we use Titanium Grade 2, which is softer than the higher-grade pure titanium materials. Bridge saddles act as the conduit for string vibration, and achieving the ideal tone is our priority.
As we mentioned in another article, the tone we aim for is “bright and warm.” Through extensive trial and error, we discovered that harder materials, such as higher-grade titanium, produce longer sustain and a bright tone but can sometimes introduce harshness to the sound. We also found that titanium materials used for bridge saddles require special heat treatment after the cold rolling process. This treatment softens the tone, rounds out the sound, and eliminates harsh elements. For these reasons, we chose Grade 2 titanium for KTS saddles.
You might ask, “Why not use Grade 1?” While there is only a slight difference in hardness between Grades 1 and 2, we opted for Grade 2 because of its superior machinability. Additionally, Grade 2 has better market reliability compared to Grade 1.
Why Ti-Block Uses Special Titanium
For our Ti-Block (string lock inserts for Floyd Rose), the material needs to be harder than the bridge saddles to resist deformation under high compressive forces during string clamping. We use a specially developed pure titanium material produced by a Japanese blast furnace steel manufacturer. This material falls between Grades 3 and 4 in hardness, though it is not officially classified as "Grade 3.5."
Understanding Hardness (Hv)
The unit of hardness, known as Hv (Vickers Pyramid Number), measures a material’s resistance to deformation. A higher Hv value indicates a harder material:
- Our titanium bridge saddles have a hardness of approximately Hv160, similar to standard Nickel Silver fret wires.
- Our Ti-Block has a hardness of around Hv260, while the original hardened steel block exceeds Hv400.
You might say, “So, it’s softer than the original steel block.”
That’s correct, but let us explain why we chose this approach for our Ti-Block as a replacement for conventional steel blocks.
Advantages of Titanium Ti-Block
While the original steel block is extremely hard, excessively hard materials tend to be brittle. This brittleness can lead to cracking and increased risk of string breakage.
Our Ti-Block, though softer than steel, offers excellent strength and exceptional corrosion resistance. These properties minimize the risk of cracking and corrosion-related issues, making it a more reliable choice for long-term use.
Note: Grade xx refers to the ASTM standard classification. There is no official "Grade 3.5."
