Bolsters,,,, Dovetailed or Not Dovetailed??

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
I have a question for you collectors, do you prefer dovetailed bolsters, or flush fit bolsters?? I prefer dovetailed myself. It just adds another hand made touch to a knife. I appreciate your opinions on the matter! Thanks! Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"


[This message has been edited by L6STEEL (edited 07 December 1999).]
 
Dovetailed, for exactly the reason you cited. It shows a little more skill and craftsmanship.

By the way, Please give folks a little more time to respond to your questions. You only posted the 'bolsters or not' thread this morning (about thirteen hours ago, my time). I am Sure that there will be many more replys tonight and tomorow. Forum members are spread across the globe in many time zones and periods of web access. It is not 'Live'. I've noticed that even apparently inactive and dormant threads have a way of waking up again. If you really want forum input, give it a week or so to collect responses. I count only five so far in the original thread.

Paracelsus

[This message has been edited by Paracelsus (edited 07 December 1999).]
 
Actualy I prefer building the dovetail bolsters 10 to 1 they are much more nicer than the flush-fit and seem to be easier to work out than the other's so 90% of mine are the dovetail

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tbark
 
Dove tail gets the nod from me, the Wood/Irie swinglocker folder I have has the stag handles fitted into a dovetail area, the scales really can't move with that overhang on them.

Benchmade also used to dovetail their inserts, very nice work, can't wait to see what they are going to bring out in about a year or so.

I've heard from a few makers that the straight flush fit is tougher to make, where as the dovetail covers alot but you can't beat it for overall looks and finish.

This goes along with a tapered tang, which I feel really makes a knife more apealing, more work but a nicer overall knife.

G2


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If you can't be kind,
at least have the decency to be vague. Stephen Wright

www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/7306/blades.html

Gillett PA

 
Those who can dovetail.

Those who cannot, don't. Then try and tell you why it doesn't really add anything to the knife.

Les
 
Dovetailed.
Not only does it look better, it keep the handle material from moving.

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If a man can keep alert and imaginative, an error is a possibility, a chance at something new; to him, wandering and wondering are a part of the same process. He is most mistaken, most in error, whenever he quits exploring.

William Least Heat Moon
 
I wouldn't say a knife that isn't dovetailed is not as good as a knife that is.
I have some beautifully fit and finished knives here that aren't dovetailed. I like them but they're not necessarily a requirement. How about a curved bolster. It takes some skill to get a perfect fit there. If we were to go saying knifemakers that don't dovetail lack skill we'd be saying something that is not true and unfair.
I have a Pease knife here in my hand. No dovetail. I bet he makes no excuses either.
Nor would many other skilled knifemakers.
 
A curved bolster does take a fair amount of skill.

Tom I think you would agree that collectors of the expensive to world class grade folders look for dove tailing of bolsters.

Also, as Phil pointed out it does hold the material in better.

I got to see one of Bill's knives made in the 70's that the frame was made out of aluminum. The handle material had shrunk to the point it would rattle when shaken. The only thing that kept this handle material in place was the dove tailed bolsters on each end!

Most of here know that Bill Pease is a world class maker and a world class guy. Having bought knives from Bill from time to time over the last 15 years, I know he is capable of just about doing anything when it comes to making a knife.

Perhaps my statement was a little to blunt. However, I have found that most collectors prefer dove tailed bosters when they can get them on the knife.



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Les Robertson
Robertson's Custom Cutlery
http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com/rcc/makers.shtml
I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.

 
When using a bolster, dovetailing is preferred.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA


 
I would certainly agree that most people looking for quality knives would definately look for dovetailed bolsters. Without a doubt on folders. Just wanted to mention that if you look around there are still some nice knives where they aren't dovetailed. Obviously on curved bolsters you'll find them butted and on a lot of fixed blades also.
L6 who originated the thread makes fixed blades so the dovetail preference might not apply.

[This message has been edited by TomW (edited 09 December 1999).]
 
I marvel at the perfectly even, perfectly flush dovetailing on my Bud Nealy Pesh Kabz. It looks just as good on a fixed blade as a folder.
 
It looks good on a lot of my fixed blade knives too but isn't right or necessary for all fixed blade knives or folders for that matter and would actually be out of place on some. I don't want to beat this subject to death but I have this thing about giving people the impression that a dovetailed bolster is a requirement on a quality knife. It's nice but it isn't required.
 
I have used doevetailed bolsters on several of my fancier fixed blades. I agree,
too, they are alot easier to do than a flush-fit bolster. You have a little room for error.
I just finished milling the frames for an integral bolstered folding hunter I'm making. I wish I had a dovetail cutter so I could use it on this knife. I'll either use sambar stag or mammoth ivory for the scales. If the rest of it goes as good as the milling, this will be my first ever working folder.
Thanks for all the input Forumites!! I am really happy so many took interest in this subject.
Take care!! Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
Dovetailed bolsters are preferrable to me. I have seen older knives where they actually hold the natural material scales in place.

Larry

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