Bolster flutings

[adforester26]

Hi All,
I'm looking to do some deep fluting that extends almost the whole bolster but am unsure if it decreases the structural integrity of the pin or knife in general?
Anyone have any good pics of unique bolster flutings?

 

[ZHoovie]

Hello there!
I'm guessing that it depends how deep you go with it & where it's at specifically. As long as you don't remove too much material close to the pin you should be fine. I've seen plenty of deep grooved bolsters that don't seem to have any issues.

 

[RickHuf]

Here is an old Schrade and a Boker. Both are solid as a rock and the pins are in the filework. I've used the Boker extensively.

 

[waynorth]

Here is a Old Sheep Castrator that came apart like a peeled banana, because too much was removed from the bolster/pin!! (Lower Knife obviously)!! Obviously, you must be careful!!
The pin you see is a "patch"!! It was later replaced with a flush pin!!

 

[Modoc ED]

 

[calm]

https://imgur.com/A4h7D4t

https://imgur.com/aIrg8jt

 

[waynorth]

https://imgur.com/A4h7D4t

https://imgur.com/aIrg8jt

There's nothing like well-done Rattails!!

 

[SteveC]

 

[Peregrin]

Here are 4 from Hiroaki Ohta and one from Brent Cramer. I can't tell where the pins are but all of these seem, though not used much, just fine.
Sorry, not the best pics but I'm headed out the door....

 

[unclekurty]

A square bolster.

 

[Will Power]

Thinking about it, my knives with Rat-Tail bolsters seem some of the strongest with no hint of play. Seems born out by the interesting pictures many have already put up.

Here's a knife I had made by artisan Jérôme Latreile, it's his rendering of an old but rather neglected pattern called the Gouttière. Sent him an inexpensive factory knife to use as a pattern model. His answer was to use an exposed pin and I think it works beautifully and rustically with this bolster too. Gouttière means a rainwater gutter and the knife is called after it due to its distinctive bolster being reminiscent of guttering on a house.

A production Gouttière from the maker GR. It's a tough, even coarse character Olivewood slabs, stainless bolster & liners, a big chopper Sheepfoot in carbon. Easy to open but mind your fingers closing it Nice action, no play or gaps and no sign of a pin or ghosting through the bolster. This may be due to using stainless bolster and not nickel silver?