Bolster material Q's

[oneslowbird]

My concern is with nickle silver bolsters. I have seen older knives where the shiny material is worn off revealing a dull gray metal underneath. Is this nickle silver? Are nickle silver bolsters just plated with a shiny coating? It seems to me that brass would be a better material for a user since it can always be polished. I could really use some input here. I'm ordering a custom that will be an EDC and have to decide. Sure I think the silver looks better, but will it look good for the life of the knife? TIA

 

[Tom Anderson]

In most instances, you'll find that nickle-silver is a solid material, not plating. Brass has a tendancy to turn green if unkept. Nickel-silver just dulls if unkept.

If you're ordering a custom-made (hand-made) knife, you really should be addressing this issue with the maker. He or she will tell you what kind of materials are going to be used and how to maintain them!

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Tom Anderson
Hand Crafted Knives