brass or steel pins?

[Jason Fry]

I'm working on a knife from a trap spring. I have it looking about how I want, and have some mesquite handles made. I put it all together with brass pins for shaping the handles, but now it's almost time to glue it all together and peen the pins. I'm wondering if mild steel pins wouldn't look better on this knife, since I left alot of the forge finish on the steel, polishing only the bevel and swage. Any opinions? I've done a knife or two with brass pins, but haven't used mild steel yet. Could I find a nail the right diameter, or maybe rod stock from the big box store? Do steel pins peen easily?

 

[LRB]

That might depend on if you are trying for an 18th c. look, or early 19th c. It is very rare to find brass pins in knives of either of these periods. Especially 18th c. A common working knife is best done with steel pins, if you have any interest in being historically correct with it.

 

[smitty0331]

I think steel would look good. BTW, I recently used steel pins to re-handle a straight razor, and they did pein pretty easy. I used a couple pieces of coat hanger that I turned down slightly in my drill press.

 

[Evan Martin]

they have steel stock at HD in alot of diam. I have used it alot lately

 

[raylaconico]

Steel rods from hardware stores are soft and pretty easy to peen.

 

[Redrummd]

I just use finishing nails as they come in a huge number of diameters... You can't get much cheaper than nails as far as cost.

 

[woodsman1031]

I just use finishing nails as they come in a huge number of diameters... You can't get much cheaper than nails as far as cost.

Do you anneal the nails before you peen them?

Thanks

 

[JTknives]

i have 1/2" wrought iron rod that i forge down to size. works like a charm.

 

[kc custom]

Normally hardware store steel stock or nails are pretty soft and don't need to be annealed or softened. I've got knives I made quite a few years ago with steel pins still going strong.
Ken

 

[woodsman1031]

Normally hardware store steel stock or nails are pretty soft and don't need to be annealed or softened. I've got knives I made quite a few years ago with steel pins still going strong.
Ken

Ken,

I am working on a friction folder right now and my pivot pin is going to be a nail. This is my first friction folder and this is also going to be my first try at peening something. Are there any special techniques I could use, or are there any tutorials on this site for peening a small diameter rod?

Thanks


Tommy