Are the bolsters magnetic?
OK, just got done doing some testing with a magnet, and the results are interesting.
None of my Buck 301's, ranging from 1971-2005, show any trace of activity from the magnet on the bolsters at all.
All blades and backsprings, the magnet sticks like glue, but none of the bolsters of any Buck or Camillus made ones do, even the newer integrated bolsters of newer Buck made ones.
Also, none of the shields are magnetic either.
Another odd thing, using a very small magnet, I slid it acros the back of the knives from the edge. The newer Bucks that have 3 backsprings and integrated liners and bolsters, the magnet does not react to the liners either, only to the backsprings.
I did some google-fu and found this interesting.
http://www.physlink.com/Education/AskExperts/ae546.cfm
[SIZE=-1]In general, the higher the proportion of chromium, the stronger the corrosion resistance of the steel. In addition to chromium, other metals are added to give the steel particular properties such as strength and malleability. Specifically nickel is used to strengthen the oxide layer.
As for whether they are magnetic, the answer is that it depends. There are several families of stainless steels with different physical properties. A basic stainless steel has a 'ferritic' structure and is magnetic. These are formed from the addition of chromium and can be hardened through the addition of carbon (making them 'martensitic') and are often used in cutlery. However, the most common stainless steels are 'austenitic' - these have a higher chromium content and nickel is also added. It is the nickel which modifies the physical structure of the steel and makes it non-magnetic.
Maybe the stainless steel that Buck uses for bolsters has nickel in it, which would explain their bolsters seem to look and react like NS ones do after being carried awhile in my pocket???
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