bolster help

[Frase]

I need some advice on bolsters,
I've started making a bolster for a knife I'm working on this is the first time I've made a knife with them so I thought I would use stainless steel but its turned out to be a lot of work, so my choice is do I continue with the stainless steel or switch to brass or even aluminium (not sure how that would polish up).
What do you reckon cheers frase.

[Stew]

Don't use the Aluminium.

How thick is your stainless? If it's quite thick, have you thought of making larger holes at the back so you have less to file?

[Frase]

Don't use the Aluminium.

How thick is your stainless? If it's quite thick, have you thought of making larger holes at the back so you have less to file?

its 6mm I think I will give the brass a go, it should be easier to work with

[korsu]

I´ve never tried aluminium in bolsters, but I know it takes mirror polish. It may become oxidized in time, but wax or even lacquer will help.

[Longstrider]

I have enough trouble with stainless for guards to know that I'd always prefer to be working brass. Same goes for making bolsters, and brass always looks 'right' to me on a knife for some reason, as long as it doesn't have a black handle.
I'd avoid the aluminium though. It has it's uses, but IMHO it never looks right on a knife and is far more prone to becoming tatty with use than even brass is. Even scratched or dented brass will polish up nicely and look OK, but ally just looks dull and un-interesting even 5 minutes after you've cleaned it up.

[Dennis Schwartz]

You can also use aplaca, i really enjoyed working with, tough it's rather expensive...

[Bearpawcustoms]

Hi Frase,
Whart grade Stainless are you using?
I only use 416ss ( heat treated) you must also use the same grade Pin material. 416 work fairly easy,Not as easy as brass or nickle silver. I also use the same material for guards




Both knives have 416 ss bolsters.
I pin the bolsters and the smash the pins with a 20ton press and the silver solder to keep moister out

[ZDP-189]

Choose a softer stainless. Or Nickel if you're a wuss.

[Frase]

Choose a softer stainless. Or Nickel if you're a wuss.

thats it i must be a wuss
its 440 how does that compare to other ssteel?

[Bearpawcustoms]

The problem with 440 is in order to be corrosion resistant it must be heat treated and then it becomes hard to work.
300 series stainless doesn't have to be heat treated and can be used as is but it is harder to machine and finish
Try some heat treated 416, you'll like it

[Frase]

so is 440 one of the harder ssteels?

[Bearpawcustoms]

so is 440 one of the harder ssteels?

440 is a blade steel. There are several types of 440.there is 440A, 440B,440C and 440D
440c is what is most commanly used by knifemakers an it has the proper amount of carbon.440A is used on very cheep cutlery as it is easeir to sharpen because it won't harden to a proper RC
use 416

[Frase]

Well the knife is finished used brass pleased with the result considering first time with bolsters.