Barlow knife construction

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lal

Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Messages
13
Thanks for a great Forum. This is my first post so here goes: I do not own a Joseph Rodgers but am going to be getting one soon! What I would like to know is how are the bolsters on these knives fitted? Are these glued on or pinned through completely? I just worry that if glued on they will pop off if dropped! Maybe it foolish to ask this but just really want to know. Thanks in advance.
 
Most bolsters are pinned on, twice. They are forged with an integral "Tommie" pin, which attaches a bolster to the scale or liner, then they are pinned right through when the knife is assembled.
 
waynorth said:
Most bolsters are pinned on, twice. They are forged with an integral "Tommie" pin, which attaches a bolster to the scale or liner, then they are pinned right through when the knife is assembled.
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waynorth thanks for the reply. Are the Joseph Rodgers made in this way? I have looked at a few on the internet but cannot see a pin going through the bolsters. Thanks:confused:
 
As I understand it the "pin" isn't put through the bolster, it's formed into the backside of the bolster itself, it's part of the bolster. It goes through a hole in the scale/liner and then is peened from the back side to solidly attache the bolster to the liner without pins being inserted through the bolster itself.

Cannot speak to that specific knife as I have no idea, sorry.
 
slide13 thanks. I guess if the pin went through the bolster it would be better in terms of strength?
 
I don't see why that would be any better. Seems simpler to have it be as I described, a part of the bolster backside itself. Then you don't have visible pins showing in the bolster and only one mechanical attachment point instead of two (which would double the potential for something to be done wrong and come loose, at least to my mind).

Then again, I'm just pontificating, I'm far from an authority on this subject, this is just what I've picked up from reading things people smarter and more knowledgeable than I have posted.
 
lal said:
slide13 thanks. I guess if the pin went through the bolster it would be better in terms of strength?
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Slide is right on. You also have the pivot pin that goes thru the blade tang ( or tangs on 2 bladed) and thru both bolsters to hold it together. The stamped pin on the back of the bolster that slide referred to ensures that the bolster, being 1/3 of the closed knife length, does not pivot or try to "rotate" when the knife is assembled.

BTW...The pivot pin is polished and blends into the bolster so you cannot see it.
 
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Thanks Guys! My question is answered but what do you guys think of J Rodgers knives?
 
lal said:
what do you guys think of J Rodgers knives?
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The Joseph Rodgers knives available now are not the same as the Joseph Rodgers knives of the past. The name is just held by a company who bought the mark.
 
On some modern knives (Case for example), the bolsters are stamped out of sheets of nickel silver and are spot welded to the bolsters.

What others have described above is the "old fashioned" way of doing it, the cutlers referred to it as the "tommy-on" of the bolsters.
 
cilohaefink said:
On some modern knives (Case for example), the bolsters are stamped out of sheets of nickel silver and are spot welded to the bolsters.

What others have described above is the "old fashioned" way of doing it, the cutlers referred to it as the "tommy-on" of the bolsters.
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Thanks for all the info guys. Do allCase knives have the bolsters welded on or only a select few?. I seem to prefer the "old fashioned " method of a pivot pin straight through.
 
lal said:
Thanks for all the info guys. Do allCase knives have the bolsters welded on or only a select few?. I seem to prefer the "old fashioned " method of a pivot pin straight through.
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Since the late 70's or early 80's, all Case bolsters have been welded on, not pinned.

As far as I know, Queen and Great Eastern use the old fashioned "tommy on" method.
 
I have a 77 barlow ordered and am looking for a couple more barlows of different varieties for the collection/future gifts, is it common to see the pivot point on the bolster of most barlows? If so is this a cosmetic issue that can be buffed/polished out?
 
GBPacker I am not an expert but I believe the bolsters get polished so one does not see the pivot pin. I LIKE to see a pivot pin just barely. Now to find a Barlow...
 
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