Bolster Strength(s)

F

Flambeau

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Jun 26, 2021
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As I look at brass and nickel steel bolster materials, which of these are more durable with normal use, or are they about the same ?
 
I've never seen a functional difference in their use as it relates to strength of material. It seems like the brass may be a little softer/easier to buff out scratches, but as stated by bertl, the brass does also tarnish much more. Personally, that's a selling point for me. I like how brass turns a dark golden brown and I appreciate having a different colored layer to add depth to the appearance.
 
I don’t have any real world experience with the durability of either material but I am inclined to agree that they are both about equal in durability.

I picked up this brass 110 that looked like it was subjected to some kind of repeated impacts.

Whatever it was that caused the dings, there was no structural damage to the knife. I can’t help wondering if the bolsters were soldered onto the liners like many other brands of bolstered knives are, would they have separated?
IMG_1327.jpeg
 
i feel they are bout equal in strength. meaning you won't be able to tell the difference using either.

they both corrode easily though......brass maybe a bit quicker, but they both will.....I've discussed this with folks here in the past that dispute this fact...but here are pictures to prove it.....Verdigris developed on these two nickel silver bolsters from Bucks american made leather sheaths........ and in a relatively short time period.

20250222_175611.jpg20250320_153133.jpg
 
The nickel silver bolsters show scratches and minor abrasions a lot more readily.

As far as working strength they are equal.
 
mbkr said:
Cannons were made out of brass. I don't think they were made of nickel silver. FWIW
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There is one, "Mons Meg", that was made out of iron in about 1450. It has a bore of about 20 inches. The cannonballs weighed about 390 pounds. Unfortunately, the barrel burst during a ceremonial firing in 1680. It has been restored and is on display at Edinburgh Castle.

Bert

Old Meg.jpeg
 
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bertl said:
I don't think that qualifies as normal use.
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I’ve seen plenty of 110s used as hammers with marks just like those, so it might not be “normal” but it’s not unusual 🙂. I have a 3-dot that served a previous owner as a hammer.
 
bertl said:
There is one, "Mons Meg", that was made out of iron in about 1450. It has a bore of about 20 inches. The cannonballs weighed about 390 pounds. Unfortunately, the barrel burst during a ceremonial firing in 1680. It has been restored and is on display at Edinburgh Castle.

Bert

View attachment 2948846
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Good luck cramming that puppy into a belt sheath!
 
I can’t tell much difference between brass and nickel silver as far as strength or durability. The main difference is that brass gets patina and corrosion easier than nickel silver, at least that’s on the knives I have here in high and dry SW Kansas but brass polishes up real nice and easy so it’s not a huge problem.
 
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