Show me yer bolsters!
- Mr Blonde
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Re: Show me yer bolsters!
I seem to remember having read somewhere a long time ago, that in the past, bolsters were needed to add strength to the pivot area. Nowadays they make a wonderful cosmetic feature to any folding knife in my book.
- Cambertree
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- Location: Victoria, Australia
Re: Show me yer bolsters!
They literally ‘bolster’ the strength and rigidity of the pivot area, or handle to blade juncture of fixed blades.kennethsime wrote: ↑Sun Aug 23, 2020 10:01 pmIn a culinary knife, I know that a bolster may be used to affect the balance of the knife.
I the same true in folding knives? Forgive my ignorance, the last bolstered knife I used was a Buck 110 knockoff made by Schrade I had as a kid.
The longer bolsters, as on Barlow knives sometimes had an extra pin.
They were sometimes soldered to the liner scales, or even integrally forged.
One of the treasure troves of early 19th century tool history is an English catalogue from 1816, with the catchy title of Explanation or Key to the Various Manufactories of Sheffield With Engravings of Each Article Designed for the Utility of Merchants, Wholesale Ironmongers. :D
It’s more commonly referred to as Smith’s Key.
Here’s a copy for anyone who’s interested in cutlery history. There are many fascinating pocketknife designs, which mostly feature bolsters. Some of the bolsters are quite ornate.
https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b ... checontact
The pocketknives start at around plate 89.
Re: Show me yer bolsters!
Only own one bolstered Spydie. I’d still like to contribute though.
- Abyss_Fish
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- Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2020 3:23 pm
- Location: Minnesota, USA.
Re: Show me yer bolsters!
I absolutely love those curved satin finish bolsters against the contoured cf. Wish there were still models in this style in current production. I'd buy up a native or lil' native backlock with this treatment in a second.
Lightly insane.
Current spydie collection: Watu, Rhino, UKPK Salt G10 bladeswap, Yojimbo 2 Smooth G10 Cru-Wear, Manix lw “mystic” 20cv, SmallFly 2, Waterway, Ladybug k390, Caribbean
Current favorite steels: sg2/R2, lc200n/Z-FiNit, 3v
Current spydie collection: Watu, Rhino, UKPK Salt G10 bladeswap, Yojimbo 2 Smooth G10 Cru-Wear, Manix lw “mystic” 20cv, SmallFly 2, Waterway, Ladybug k390, Caribbean
Current favorite steels: sg2/R2, lc200n/Z-FiNit, 3v
Re: Show me yer bolsters!
Those are pretty special! I've admired your collection before, but never picked up on the Spydie motif bolsters. I had seen the custom Schempp bolsters before, but dang those are cool.
- kennethsime
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- Location: California
Re: Show me yer bolsters!
Hey Cambertree,Cambertree wrote: ↑Tue Aug 25, 2020 1:43 pmThey literally ‘bolster’ the strength and rigidity of the pivot area, or handle to blade juncture of fixed blades.
The longer bolsters, as on Barlow knives sometimes had an extra pin.
They were sometimes soldered to the liner scales, or even integrally forged.
One of the treasure troves of early 19th century tool history is an English catalogue from 1816, with the catchy title of Explanation or Key to the Various Manufactories of Sheffield With Engravings of Each Article Designed for the Utility of Merchants, Wholesale Ironmongers. :D
It’s more commonly referred to as Smith’s Key.
Here’s a copy for anyone who’s interested in cutlery history. There are many fascinating pocketknife designs, which mostly feature bolsters. Some of the bolsters are quite ornate.
https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b ... checontact
The pocketknives start at around plate 89.
That's a really neat find, thanks for sharing! Love seeing all the old knives and tools!
I'm happiest with Micarta and Tool Steel.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
Top four in rotation: K390 + GCM PM2, ZCarta Shaman, Crucarta PM2, K390 + GCM Straight Spine Stretch.
Re: Show me yer bolsters!
That mokume Schempp bowie, I would do bad things for.
Very nice!
"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so."
-Thomas Jefferson
-Thomas Jefferson
Re: Show me yer bolsters!
Of course i can not keep up with Mr Blonde in the realm of bolsters, but i am sure that it is time for another go round.
Re: Show me yer bolsters!
Okay, one more bump.
- Abyss_Fish
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- Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2020 3:23 pm
- Location: Minnesota, USA.
Re: Show me yer bolsters!
Stop bumping this post, it just makes me sadder I don’t have a one eyed jack and a kriss...
Lightly insane.
Current spydie collection: Watu, Rhino, UKPK Salt G10 bladeswap, Yojimbo 2 Smooth G10 Cru-Wear, Manix lw “mystic” 20cv, SmallFly 2, Waterway, Ladybug k390, Caribbean
Current favorite steels: sg2/R2, lc200n/Z-FiNit, 3v
Current spydie collection: Watu, Rhino, UKPK Salt G10 bladeswap, Yojimbo 2 Smooth G10 Cru-Wear, Manix lw “mystic” 20cv, SmallFly 2, Waterway, Ladybug k390, Caribbean
Current favorite steels: sg2/R2, lc200n/Z-FiNit, 3v