The Titanium Oil Nail by Black Leaf is a replacement dab nail that screws into your bong's joint and gives you a solid, heat-retaining surface for concentrates. Made from aerospace-grade titanium with an adjustable threaded shaft, it fits both 14.5mm and 18.8mm joints and takes the guesswork out of replacing a broken or burnt-out nail.
Which size do you need?
Check your bong's joint size before ordering — it's usually stamped on the glass or listed on the product page you bought it from.
| Joint size | Nail head | Total length | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14.5mm (SKU HS0007) | 11mm diameter | 52mm | Smaller bongs, travel rigs, most mid-size glass |
| 18.8mm (SKU HS0979) | 15mm diameter | 56mm | Full-size bongs, bigger rigs, heavier dab sessions |
Not sure? 18.8mm is the more common size on larger European bongs; 14.5mm tends to sit on smaller dab rigs and mini bongs.
Why a titanium nail for dabs
Titanium holds heat longer than quartz and doesn't shatter when you drop it. That's the short version. If you've ever cracked a quartz banger halfway through a session — or watched a ceramic nail split clean in half after a few torch cycles — titanium is the answer to both problems. One torch, a longer dab window, no broken glass in your sink.
The trade-off is well known: titanium takes longer to season and runs hotter if you're not careful. Get it glowing red and you'll torch your concentrate flavour into oblivion. The sweet spot is heating until just-barely red, letting it cool for 20–30 seconds, then dabbing. Once you've got the timing, titanium is about as forgiving a surface as you can own.
What makes the Black Leaf nail different
Black Leaf is a German smoking-accessory brand that's been turning out solid budget-to-mid-tier glass and hardware for years. This particular nail uses Grade 2 commercial titanium — the same grade used in medical and aerospace applications for its corrosion resistance. According to a systematic review on titanium versus stainless steel implants (PMC8568430), titanium shows fewer stress-shielding changes under repeated heat and load cycles than cheaper alloys, which in dab-nail terms means it warps less over time.
The adjustable threaded shaft is the useful bit. Most fixed-length nails only fit one joint depth, so if your bong sits the nail too high or too low, you're stuck. This one screws in and out until it seats flush, which matters more than it sounds — a proper seal means no air leaks, better vapour path, cleaner hits.
How to season and use your titanium nail
New titanium nails need seasoning before first use. Skip this step and your first few dabs will taste metallic. Unlike cast iron cookware, you don't want thick oil — titanium is far less porous, so a thin coat is all you need.
- Screw the nail into your bong's joint and adjust until it sits flush.
- Heat the nail with a butane torch until it just begins to glow red. Don't go full cherry-red — overheating Grade 2 titanium repeatedly can discolour the surface.
- Let it cool for around 20–30 seconds. A good rule: if you can hold your palm 5cm above it and feel strong heat but not searing pain, it's close.
- Apply a small amount of concentrate with a dabber and inhale slowly through the bong.
- After the session, let the nail cool completely, then wipe residue with a cotton bud and isopropyl alcohol.
- Repeat the heat-and-cool cycle 3–4 times with a tiny dab of concentrate for first-time seasoning before your first "proper" session.
Specifications
| Brand | Black Leaf |
| Material | Grade 2 titanium |
| Shaft type | Adjustable threaded |
| 14.5mm version | Nail head 11mm, length 52mm (SKU HS0007) |
| 18.8mm version | Nail head 15mm, length 56mm (SKU HS0979) |
| Compatible with | Most standard bongs and dab rigs with matching female joints |
| Use | Dabbing concentrates, oils, wax |
Titanium vs quartz vs ceramic: honest comparison
We sell all three and they all have a place. Here's how they actually stack up on the shop floor:
| Material | Heat retention | Durability | Flavour | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titanium | Excellent — longest retention | Near-indestructible | Good once seasoned | Heavy users, clumsy hands, travel |
| Quartz | Moderate | Breaks if dropped | Cleanest, purest taste | Flavour purists |
| Ceramic | Good | Cracks under thermal shock | Neutral, clean | Low-temp dabbers |
If flavour is everything to you, quartz wins. If you want a nail that'll still be working in five years regardless of how many times it hits the tiles, titanium wins. Simple.
Complete your setup with a butane torch (you'll need one — a lighter won't cut it), a carb cap to trap vapour at lower temperatures, and a glass dabber for precise portioning. A small jar of isopropyl alcohol and cotton buds keeps the nail clean between sessions. Pairs well with any standard 14.5mm or 18.8mm bong or dab rig in our smokeshop.
Why you need this (or might not)
If your current quartz banger is cracked, if you've killed a ceramic nail already, or if you're setting up a dab rig for the first time and don't want to baby your equipment — this is the nail to get. Titanium is the workhorse material of the dab world. You can travel with it, drop it, over-torch it occasionally, and it'll keep going.
Honest limitation: if you're someone who chases paper-clean terpene flavour on every hit and you dab at very low temperatures, quartz will give you a more transparent taste profile. Titanium, even properly seasoned, adds a subtle character to the vapour. Not bad — just not invisible. Most dabbers either don't notice or come to prefer it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is titanium safe to dab off?
Grade 2 commercial titanium is considered inert at typical dabbing temperatures and is the same grade used in medical implants. Research on titanium implants (PMC9056099) notes its corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Avoid cheap unmarked titanium and never heat past red-orange glow — overheating any metal degrades it.
How do I season a new titanium nail?
Heat the nail until it just glows red, let it cool 20–30 seconds, apply a small amount of concentrate, inhale, and repeat 3–4 times. Use a thin oil — olive oil is too viscous since titanium is far less porous than cast iron. After seasoning, the metallic taste disappears.
Will this fit my bong?
It fits any bong with a 14.5mm or 18.8mm female joint — pick the size to match. The adjustable threaded shaft lets you screw the nail in and out until it sits flush, so minor depth variations between bongs aren't a problem.
How long does titanium hold heat compared to quartz?
Titanium retains usable dabbing heat noticeably longer than quartz — typically giving you a wider dab window after the initial cool-down. That's why titanium is popular for back-to-back sessions, while quartz cools faster and needs more frequent reheating.
How do I clean a titanium dab nail?
Let the nail cool completely, then wipe residue with a cotton bud dipped in isopropyl alcohol. For heavier buildup, a quick torch-off burns residue clean. Don't soak titanium in alcohol for extended periods or use abrasive pads — both can scratch the surface and affect seasoning.
Can I over-torch a titanium nail?
Yes. Heating past a bright red-orange glow repeatedly can discolour the surface and shorten the nail's lifespan. Stick to a just-red glow, let it cool 20–30 seconds, then dab. A proper heat-up takes 20–40 seconds with a good butane torch — no need to blast it longer.
Last updated: April 2026
