A Question About Nickel Silver Bolsters

wolfdog

wolfdog

Joined
Oct 4, 2009
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My two EDCs of the past couple months have been a paperstone BCCI drop point 110 and a buildout version of the AG Russell Canoe Moose. Both have NS bolsters (The buildout Canoe Moose is stated in the 2009 Special Projects List as having stainless steel bolsters, but in the AG Russell catalog it's said to have NS).

My question is this: What is the difference between these two NS bolsters? Both knives have seen a bit of use. The bolsters on the BCCI 110 are scratched to the point where it sparkles. (I don't mind, it's an EDC and it gives it character.) However, the bolsters on the Canoe are unscratched. I can't even "key it" (scratch it with a key) whereas I can key-scratch the bolsters on the BCCI 110.

Are these different metals? Is one heat treated or HT differently?
 
I dont know the answer to the differences in compostion but I have always noticed how easily N/S scratches, even alone in a pocket. I have heard people say that is like a "white brass". I have had luck so far on the paperstone BCCI, although it hasnt seen any edc kind of use.
 
Fellows, I am not a metal man. I closely listen to Misters Knarfeng and Zerogee on such matters. But, here is the Wiki link to nickle silver.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_silver

I have always had wonders on NS histories as it is a big part of the 300 series. I wish I could instantly tell SS from NS at a glance. But in all honesty at the momemt I would not place a bet using my ability.
NS comes in different mixtures to create slightly different looks and hardness. Next time it is possible, have a look-see at a USA made 300 that has set unpolished for a spell and a off-shore 37X the same. You will see the difference in the mixture.

I don't have a NS 110 to have experience with it. The other knife looks like a new knife to me, NS or SS. That is all I willing to say without the benefit of the 'scratches of time' NS would have vs. SS. Maybe someone will jump in here and fill us all with knowledge.

300Bucks/ch
 
I've used both SS and NS for pommels, bolsters and finger guards . The NS is not easy to file . A little better to grind . But will polish up nice . The SS is a bear to file, and grind and polish . Its also a heavier/ denser material . Neither is what I'd define as easy to work the NS comes closer . The aluminum Buck uses for finger guards and pommels is easy to work with . The stainless I have dislike for as its difficult . But soft metals will not scratch the stainless atleast the ones I use (316) . I think you were connecting the dots . DM
 
Here is part of the link...

Nickel silver, also known as German silver, paktong, new silver or alpacca (or alpaca), is a copper alloy with nickel and often zinc. The usual formulation is 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc.[1] In fact, all modern, commercially important nickel silvers (such as those standardized under ASTM B122) contain significant amounts of zinc, and are sometimes considered a subset of brass.[2]

Nickel silver is named for its silvery appearance, but contains no elemental silver unless plated.
 
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