When the newest way to consume cannabis first made its way onto the scene in the late 2000s tools and accessories were limited. Artists and engineers called on their ingenuity to create designs from sources that supported the high temperatures needed to properly vaporize concentrates.

Nail styles and materials have come and gone over the last decade of dabbing. But, titanium nails are one material that has stood the test of time. Ultra-durable titanium nails are a solid option for dabbers who have butterfingers, multiple rigs with different joint sizes, or use an electronic nail.

Titanium nails come in tons of different styles but the most popular are domeless titanium, and super convenient, universal 6-in-1 and 4-in-1 domeless nails that can be configured to fit basically any rig with adaptability to morph into a 10mm, 14mm or 19mm joint that is either male and female. This style allows you to use one nail for all of your rigs! Talk about cost-effectiveness.

If you’re new to dabbing, TI nails, or just doing a little research to see which source material and style nail is best, we’re here to help. This guide will educate you on the TI experience and ownership, from purchasing a titanium nail at your favorite smoke shop to enjoying it in your favorite smoke spot.

Considerations to make when buying a titanium dab nail

Although it’s a relatively low-maintenance option, there are a few things to consider before you buy your titanium dab nail. Don’t just scoop up any old Ti on the internet. It’s important for your personal health and safety to understand what you’re buying and why quality is important.


Stick with grade 2 titanium (or better)

There are multiple grades of ti nails out there. Because your Ti nail is used for consumption at high heat, don’t cut costs and dip below Grade 2. Grade 2 is commonly used in the medical and food industry, so it’s safe for dabbing. Lower quality titanium is often mixed with other metals and fillers that not only cheaper the product but can produce toxins when heated and increase your chances of inhaling trace amounts of toxic heavy metals every time you dab. No thanks!

buying a Titanium Nail

Yo Dabba Dabba Titanium Nails (view more)

If you’re not sure about the quality of your titanium nail, keep on the lookout for signs that you might be dealing with an inferior product, like oxidization, discoloration, corrosion, flaking and pitting.

Buy from a trustworthy brand

Before you buy a nail, research the company to make sure its legit. Be sure that the brand you choose to buy from is a trusted titanium nail distributor, and if possible, ask for proof that their nails are grade 2 titanium. Any reputable company should be happy to share their titanium certification forms with you. These forms will declare the amount of iron, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen found in the titanium tested by a third party. Although true grade 1 titanium nails are significantly more expensive, buying a quality product ensures your safety. So, it’s totally worth it.

How to season a titanium nail

You just spent a good amount of money on a high-quality titanium nail, and you want to take care of it, right? It’s important to learn how to season a titanium nail. The benefits that come from seasoning a titanium nail before its first use is similar to those that chefs are after when they season a new cast-iron skillet. The process ensures that any polish, residuals, or other products that could possibly remain on the surface from the manufacturing process are completely removed. It also helps to seal the surface of the titanium, allowing you to maximize the flavor of your concentrates.

how to season ti nail

Seasoning your ti nail helps to remove any unwanted residue left over from the manufacturing process.

Different ways to season your titanium nail

Method 1

  • Grab a glass of water, your ti nail, a butane torch, and some pliers for holding the hot metal.
  • Gripping the dab nail with the pliers, light up the butane torch and start to heat the head of the nail until it is red hot.
  • When the nail is glowing red, dunk it into the cold water.
  • Remove the nail from the water and give it a gentle shake to remove any water.
  • Repeat the process a few times until your nail is properly seasoned and ready for use.

Method 2

  • Grab your ti nail, butane torch, and some concentrate.
  • Heat the nail until it is red hot.
  • Drop a small amount of medicine onto the surface of the nail.
  • Repeat the process 3 – 5 times until the nail’s entire surface has been ‘seasoned’ with wax.

How to clean a titanium nail


Now that your nail is seasoned and ready for regular use, let’s talk maintenance. Below are a few popular ways to keep your ti nail nice and fresh.

1. Torching method

This is the easiest and cheapest way to care for your nail. After some use, the wax will start to build up. Don’t worry – this is an easy fix. Just take your torch and heat your nail as you normally would. The excess residue should burn off easily. For the neat freaks, this method can be used after every dab to keep the nail pristine.

2. Water-dipping method

Very similar to seasoning your nail, the water-dippin’ method (as we like to call it) is just what it sounds like. Heat your nail as you normally would for a dab, and, with a pair of tongs, place your titanium nail in a bowl of room-temperature water. This method is effective in removing the white oxidation residue that may build up on your nail over time or from heavy use.

3. ISO rub method

Commonly known as rubbing alcohol, ISO is very effective in removing the sticky residue left over from concentrates.

There are two ways to rock this method.  Some people prefer to just throw their Ti nail in some rubbing alcohol (occasionally with a little bit of added salt) and let it soak for 5-10 minutes. Others prefer to dip a rag or paper towel in ISO and clean the nail by hand. Both methods work well, but be sure that you season your nail after cleaning with ISO. If you don’t, you risk ingesting fumes from the rubbing alcohol, and that’s never good.

You may come across some dabbing connoisseurs who claim they never clean their nail, and you might think that’s gross or just not true. Well, it’s possibly that they really don’t. Many dabbers see their titanium nail the way a chef sees their cast iron skillet. They believe that after many uses, the titanium will acquire a tasteful seasoning, and with every dab, it gets better. This isn’t necessarily untrue. Some people steer clear if ti nails because they complain of a metallic taste that interferes with the true taste of their concentrates. If you’re getting a metallic taste, this might be a fix.

Now that we’ve covered pros and cons, best purchasing practices, before-use care, and regular maintenance, it’s time to test out a titanium nail and let us know what you think in the comments below. Which method did you use to season your ti nail, and how do you keep it clean? We want to know!

Quick links

  1. Considerations to make when buying a ti nail
  2. Why you should always use grade 2 titanium
  3. Always buy from a trustworthy brand
  4. How to season a ti nail
  5. How to clean a ti nail

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