Bolsters necessary and when?

[quint]

Wanted your opinions on when bolsters are necessary and why. I have read they help strengthen the point between the handle and blade however is this really necessary on a full tang knife (think thats the right terminology). Sorry if this has been covered before but looking up bolster gets just a few responses. Thanks all.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Fixed blade bolsters take the punishment from any use that would abrade or damage the handle, as well as reinforce the blade at the ricasso. Uses like tactical use, camping, heavy food cutting, chopping, etc, will all benefit from a bolster.
On knives with delicate handle materials, bolsters prevent chipping and breakage. Mammoth,most ivories, MOP, tortoise shell,stag, stone, and fragile woods are good choices for bolsters.

On folders, the bolster provides a strong place to peen the pivot pin, or to attach the pivot bolt.

 

[quint]

Thanks appreciate the info. I was half thinking of not using a bolster on a personal knife I am working on but it will be used for outdoors type stuff and what not so I guess it would be a good idea to use them. This will help in the future also as I decide on what to include on future blades.

 

[xmtgx]

They also look nice if done right. So just for an aesthetic purpose as well.

 

[Frank Niro]

Stacy is the "man"but there are many knives especially hunters that work great, look great, and have lots of blade strength. Bolsters are not needed in these. He was stating where they can be effectively used to improve a knife's quality . Frank

 

[Horsewright]

I'd always heard that a bolster would also provide a better seal to gunk, moisture etc getting up under the handle if properly sealed by soldering or JB Weld these days. The front of the handle was always suppose to be the weak link. Not sure I would buy into that thought as I've knocked quite a few handles off of old knives folks have found, to re handle em and almost always the tang is rusted regardless of a bolster or no. One point and probably purely personal, I like how the bolster tends to center the weight over my index finger making the knife neither blade heavy or handle heavy. I like the center of balance there. Granted all my own personal knives are small (5.25" to 6.75") and this idea might change with a larger knife, don't know leave that for the big knife guys.