Buck 500 Series Bolsters

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busstonedfx

Joined
Jan 10, 2014
Messages
54
So I just got a buck 55, and a 503 in the mail today. I am impressed by them both... I was gonna keep one, and return the other, after seeing both of them. The fit and finish on the 55 seems better, but I am in love with the silver bolsters on the 503..... if Only I could have a clip point on a 503, but that is beyond the point....

Anyways, on the 503, I can clearly see the circles on the bolsters, from the pins underneath. If I scratch them with my fingernails, I can feel it... Is this normal, for all 500 series knives?

On my buck 110, and on the 55, they are barely noticeable.... is this just my knife, or is everyone's 500, 501, 503 and 505 similar?
photo_zpsaca0446f.jpg

image_zps3938b558.jpeg
 
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The pins on some Buck folders with nickel bolsters are more prevalent than others and some end up a bit high but are usually rounded off so not to feel any edges. Mostly on the smaller folders. It does not bother me much although if I had a choice I would rather not see them at all.
 
busstonedfx said:
So I just got a buck 55, and a 503 in the mail today. I am impressed by them both... I was gonna keep one, and return the other, after seeing both of them. The fit and finish on the 55 seems better, but I am in love with the silver bolsters on the 503..... if Only I could have a clip point on a 503, but that is beyond the point....

Anyways, on the 503, I can clearly see the circles on the bolsters, from the pins underneath. If I scratch them with my fingernails, I can feel it... Is this normal, for all 500 series knives?

On my buck 110, and on the 55, they are barely noticeable.... is this just my knife, or is everyone's 500, 501, 503 and 505 similar?
Click to expand...

Hi Busstonedfx,

There have been a few clip point 503's issued over the years, you have to look hard to find them.



As you can see from these photo's it's not uncommon to see the pins in the NK bolsters.
jb4570
 
There is a limited edition nickel silver bolster 55 out there too, with bone scales.
I was lucky enough to get one from a member here.
I am sure there are other n/s versions too.

 
It's not just seeing them, when I run my fingers over it, I can feel them. It's not just see them..... but they are rounded..... Raised just a bit.... Why do you think it is that the brass bolsters are made so much more seamlessly?
 
Also the 55 and the 503 are virtually the same size.
A blade swap would be easily possible.
Put the 55 blade in the 503 handle, and visa versa.

edit.....
Upon comparing the two knives, It would work to swap the blades. Pivot point, and lock tab etc... are all identical :)
 
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DesertChris said:
There is a limited edition nickel silver bolster 55 out there too, with bone scales.
I was lucky enough to get one from a member here.
I am sure there are other n/s versions too.

Click to expand...



Wow.... that bone scale nickel 55 is gorgeous.....
Clip point, nickel bolsters..... that's the combo I need.....
I have one of each.... LOL like DesertChris said, I could switch them, if I even knew where to begin. I know I'd mess everything up trying to put everything back together, and peen those pins....
 
busstonedfx said:
Wow.... that bone scale nickel 55 is gorgeous.....
Clip point, nickel bolsters..... that's the combo I need.....
I have one of each.... LOL like DesertChris said, I could switch them, if I even knew where to begin. I know I'd mess everything up trying to put everything back together, and peen those pins....
Click to expand...

It is surprisingly easy.
Use a pin punch to punch out the pivot pin on both knives.
use some round stock of nickel silver for one and brass for the other. Buy at a knifemaker supply place (online)
cut a section of the roundstock a little longer than the width of the knife.
push it in place with the new blade in place too.
Lightly peen the roundstock on both sides, sand flush, sand with finer and finer grits. Use some steel wool. Then buff her up on a buffing wheel.

Put the drop point in the 55 frame first. For practice.
Then do your desired combo 2nd, after you learned from the first one ;)
 
busston, those 'pivot pins' look normal. They are most always visible on the 500's, 112 & 110's. However, they should not be felt when rubbing over them with a finger. If you don't want to correct this then send it back. DM
 
David Martin said:
busston, those 'pivot pins' look normal. They are most always visible on the 500's, 112 & 110's. However, they should not be felt when rubbing over them with a finger. If you don't want to correct this then send it back. DM
Click to expand...

This isn't something that's covered by the warranty, is it?
 
Well, there's a problem. As I understood are the bolsters made of nickel silver and the pin is made of steel. When Buck grinds the surface of th bolsters, there's nothing to feel with the finger nails. But the polishing takes more material from the bolsters then from the pin. It is not as abrasive then the grinder. So it is difficult to resolve the problem.

Haebbie
 
While Haebbie is correct, I think this can be fixed with rubbing this area with fine sandpaper. Rub on the pin using the corner of the block behind the sandpaper up to 1000 grit. Then start polishing. If your not able to accomplish this then return it as its covered in the warranty.DM
 
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There was also a NS 55 with jigged buffalo that was really pretty but I dont like clip points so i didnt get one I prefer the bolsters on the 55 vs the 500 series. I wondered if tje pin was SS because its visible on ns bolsters but not on the older SS bolsters.
 
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