Brass, copper or bronze?

[Justin Schmidt]

What is better for a bolster? And pins that will match the bolster? Looking at doing one of these with walnut scales.

-Justin Schmidt

 

[Salem Straub]

Try silicon bronze, not too hard to source in flat and pin stock, pleasing color, and works easily enough.
Brass is not in vogue right now due to its "tackiness," and copper, while slightly more popular, is pretty soft and looks terrible IMO with a little bit of tarnish.
Just my $.02.

Onlinemetals.com has got plenty of options for bronze.

 

[Justin Schmidt]

Try silicon bronze, not too hard to source in flat and pin stock, pleasing color, and works easily enough.
Brass is not in vogue right now due to its "tackiness," and copper, while slightly more popular, is pretty soft and looks terrible IMO with a little bit of tarnish.
Just my $.02.

Onlinemetals.com has got plenty of options for bronze.

Thanks salem I'll look into the silicon bronze.

 

[Ken H>]

While brass isn't in "vogue" these days, my wife LOVES her brass trim.... and copper pins just makes her happy. Salem is right, polished bronze does look good.

Ken H>

 

[Justin Schmidt]

I was just reading up on these and silicon bronze is the preferred metal for boat shackles due to it strength and corrosion resistance. Thought this was pretty interesting.

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

I just checked Onlinemetals and they do not have silicon bronze sheet. However, we have sheet and rod in stock and more on the way. We also have copper sheet and rod available.

https://www.alphaknifesupply.com/misc-metals.htm

Chuck

 

[Justin Schmidt]

I just checked Onlinemetals and they do not have silicon bronze sheet. However, we have sheet and rod in stock and more on the way. We also have copper sheet and rod available.

https://www.alphaknifesupply.com/misc-metals.htm

Chuck

Thanks chuck I just remembered I ordered silicon bronze rod from yall earlier this month. I completely forgot about it. I'll grab some sheets from yall on the first when I put in another order.

 

[Lieblad]

How about berylium copper ?
Because its hazardous stuff to work with, will add alot of Mystic Mojo properties of an otherwise ordinary handcrafted knife.

Be careful selecting any of the copper alloys. Bronze, brass, etc. There are so many variants, colour matching can be a pita. If you want good hiding of pins or such, If possible use the same parent material throughout.
But it kind of sucks making pins from flatstock, but it assures best matching.

 

[mete]

Forget the BE-CU it's not worth the risk !!!

 

[Justin Schmidt]

How about berylium copper ?
Because its hazardous stuff to work with, will add alot of Mystic Mojo properties of an otherwise ordinary handcrafted knife.

Be careful selecting any of the copper alloys. Bronze, brass, etc. There are so many variants, colour matching can be a pita. If you want good hiding of pins or such, If possible use the same parent material throughout.
But it kind of sucks making pins from flatstock, but it assures best matching.

That bronze silicon flat stock is pretty darn pricey.