Buck bolster pins showing

[300Bucks]

Rather than pollute Rob's Christmas Case thread here is my response to the couple of folks talking about bolster pins visible.

Here is close-up, and I swear on the Good Book, I just grabbed some 301s out of a drawer. As zerogee stated the difference in pivot and bolster metal is apparent. The hard pins are also as he alluded, there to makes things last.

The pivot mound of the last knife is related to "special" buffing by the operator. Some less, some more. Seems home buffers really cause this, maybe dremel tools also. If you send one in for warranty it is my opinion that you might get it back with the pivot just a little more showy.......

Pins are pins........I have not seen one that was ever broke, go figure.
I have seen a few other manufactors knives with visible pins but what is the general opinion...just a Buck problem?

300Bucks

 

[Campbellclanman]

I dont think the pin showing is a big deal at all, and those lovely knives in your photo just underline the fact...its all good :thumbup:

 

[matt1987]

All my slipjoints seem to show pin marks after they get worn in some. It still opens and cuts the same. All is good in the hood

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I actually LIKE to see the harder (steel) pins in the bolsters. Knowing what's holding it together inspires confidence in the knife, in my opinion. Not being able to see the pin at all, just tends to make me worry (perhaps a bit TOO MUCH ) about how sturdily the knife is put together.

 

[kai76]

I don't think it's a big deal when pins show. I've seen and own quite a few customs that have pins showing too. And like what Matt1987 said, the pins show after use and wear but still function the same like it was new. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Will Power]

Always thought Buck had pins showing for a reason-durability-now I know they do.

Don't mind it on a Buck, part of their no nonsense approach, not so keen on it on others though...irrational? Yes.

Many CASE knives display it after a while,some rightaway. Queen knives do not seem to sport this feature, perhaps they employ a different method of bolster construction? Queen bolsters appear to wear well seem tougher than CASE ones. Old knives certainly have the pin show, some of them anyway!

 

[Mad_Maxx]

I've noticed that after some use the pin gets to be seen

probably, with the use you apply some lateral force that maker the structure move and it's no longer perfect, not an issue IMO (just aestetics)

same if you eliminate plade play, pin shows up

Maxx

 

[338375]

Good picture 300. I'm glad you brought this subject up in a new thread. It will be interesting to see the thoughts of others on this...

I'm sure there are quite a few folks that don't really mind if the pins show.

Its a personal thing for me. Out of all the Case knives I've owned, I've really only had a few that had the pins showing.

I've battled with being a perfectionist since I was younger, so things like this have always bothered me...
I am getting better about things though, and have finally come to the conclusion that nothing is perfect, in my mind anyway.

I've beat myself up mentally about things that were really insignificant, and things that most people would never notice or care about.

I did however contact Case some years back about this issue. I was lucky enough to speak to Shirley about it. She was a terrific lady.

It was enough of an issue, and there had been enough complaints, that they actually had a name for it. Pin Show...

That was the first time I had actually heard the term used. She told me that any Case knives that have Pin Show, are covered under warranty. If the owner would send them in, they would buff them out.

I've owned a fair amount of U.S made Schrades, and have never had one of them with pin show. Not sure why they are different.

As I've mentioned in other posts, I like this new Buck 301 so much, that I don't care about the pins showing. Especially after the reason why they show, was explained to me again.

My new 301 is in pocket today, and I would not hesitate to encourage anyone to buy a U.S made Buck slip joint.

I actually took some pictures of it a little while ago, but I'm heading out the door to take the wife to town I'll post them up when we get back home.

 

[Steve_Holt]

It doesn't bother me in the least. As a matter of fact, it isn't an issue at all to me.

I went and looked at a few knives that I have out at the moment and most of them are visible. Of course a few are modern knives, a few are switchblades and a few are traditional. I did receive a Case Muskrat yesterday with no scale pins showing, and that bothers me a tiny little bit. I assume the scales are epoxied onto the liners.

 

[Railsplitter]

I did however contact Case some years back about this issue. I was lucky enough to speak to Shirley about it. She was a terrific lady.

It was enough of an issue, and there had been enough complaints, that they actually had a name for it. Pin Show...

That was the first time I had actually heard the term used. She told me that any Case knives that have Pin Show, are covered under warranty. If the owner would send them in, they would buff them out.

Thanks for that info on Case knives, Mike. I remember Shirley and she was very nice indeed. Very knowledgable too. If we are thinking of the same gal, she used to be the Case Historian.

I must admit that Pin Show does bother me if it stands out like a sore thumb as with some Buck knives I've seen photos of. The long discontinued 703's had this feature on a lot of them. I started to collect 703's and the Pin Show kept me from buying quite a few of them. If it's faint then I don't care that much.

As others have mentioned, I've seen this on other knives too but the worst cases that I have seen have been on Buck knives. Just my own personal observation.

 

[Seals]

Non issue to me,but some super fine sandpaper or steel wool should make it disappear if it is distracting.Case bolsters have a brighter finer finished polish that blends the pins better.The downside being they will show pocket scratches faster.IMO.

 

[300Bucks]

I realize this is of limited interest. But I grabbed some Buck made 303s to show.
These are ones that you might have a potential of finding in shops and sales.
Follow that with a grab of some different ones. I attmepted to look for visible pins among the herd. I think that some who have seen "bad" pins may have been looking at knives that have been put under blade stress. Or as I said earlier a "home" buffing or in the brutal end.....bad factory operator. I don't have any real horror stories, I don't buy those.... did not show any 301s as I concentrate only on 303s after 1990. You can't get them all......so my spouse says..........FYI..................300Bucks/ch

One on left is Cami made from the 70s.

 

[338375]

Thanks for that info on Case knives, Mike. I remember Shirley and she was very nice indeed. Very knowledgable too. If we are thinking of the same gal, she used to be the Case Historian.

I must admit that Pin Show does bother me if it stands out like a sore thumb as with some Buck knives I've seen photos of. The long discontinued 703's had this feature on a lot of them. I started to collect 703's and the Pin Show kept me from buying quite a few of them. If it's faint then I don't care that much.

As others have mentioned, I've seen this on other knives too but the worst cases that I have seen have been on Buck knives. Just my own personal observation.

Yep, thats the same Shirley. I was fortunate to talk to her a few times, about different things. Very nice, and very knowledgeable. On one occasion, I had a knife in for repair, and she took the time to call me, to verify what work I wanted done, because it wasn't a warranty issue. It was a beater I wanted re-bladed.

I realize this is of limited interest. But I grabbed some Buck made 303s to show.
These are ones that you might have a potential of finding in shops and sales.
Follow that with a grab of some different ones. I attmepted to look for visible pins among the herd. I think that some who have seen "bad" pins may have been looking at knives that have been put under blade stress. Or as I said earlier a "home" buffing or in the brutal end.....bad factory operator. I don't have any real horror stories, I don't buy those.... did not show any 301s as I concentrate only on 303s after 1990. You can't get them all......so my spouse says..........FYI..................300Bucks/ch

One on left is Cami made from the 70s.

I always like seeing your pictures 300. You may not be able to have them all, but I think you have an awful good start

 

[338375]

Here is a couple quick pictures of my new 301 that my son got me for Christmas. I couldn't get rid of the glare. It has been snowing hard, and we had about a 10 minute break in the weather, and of course the sun decided to come out ...

 

[chouse]

I think the later Schrade USA knives have a keyhole slot type system to hold the knives together so the pivot pins for the blades are not visible.

 

[300Bucks]

chouse,

The first four or so years Buck sold slipjoints, they were contract made by Schrade. The hidden pivot made it difficult for Buck to easily honor the Forever Warranty. They were tough to take apart and reassemble. Thats why they switched to Camillus as contractor with their visible pin system. I have a couple of Schrade/Bucks where the pivot is loose and the blade opens past horizontal. But the few real Schrades I owned as teenager were good till they ran away from home.
300Bucks/Craig H.

 

[338375]

You know, when I first brought up this issue regarding Bucks, I was thinking I may have opened a can of worms . It was never intended as a bash of Buck, just a personal criticism, that as I found out, really was unwarranted.

I am glad this thread got started Craig, because I'm learnin. Thanks for the pictures of the old Schrades.
I didn't know that about Schrades. It will be interesting to see what other companies used the same method, or similar.

 

[300Bucks]

I was not defending anything but the want for knowledge. My new motto is "Don't ask unless you really want to know" Probably everyone elses will be "Don't say anything about Bucks or Craig will conduct another seminar."

As in all things, hopefully it will really fall somewhere in the middle.

300Bucks/Craig H.

 

[matt1987]

I was not defending anything but the want for knowledge. My new motto is "Don't ask unless you really want to know" Probably everyone elses will be "Don't say anything about Bucks or Craig will conduct another seminar."

As in all things, hopefully it will really fall somewhere in the middle.

300Bucks/Craig H.

i always enjoy your posts. you know yer stuffs :thumbup:

 

[338375]

I was not defending anything but the want for knowledge. My new motto is "Don't ask unless you really want to know" Probably everyone elses will be "Don't say anything about Bucks or Craig will conduct another seminar."

As in all things, hopefully it will really fall somewhere in the middle.

300Bucks/Craig H.

Absolutely Craig. I like your new motto .. I ask because I DO want to know. Thats a big part of what makes collecting knives fun. The more I know, the less likely it is that I will misspeak and end up with my foot in my mouth. I always feel like an idiot when I answer someones question, only to find out I was wrong...
Some may think they are seminars, but I appreciate it when members that have a lot of knowledge on subjects, are willing to take the time to share it.

I like the fact that this subject , which started out being aimed mostly at Bucks by me, is in the Traditional s/f, and not in the Buck s/f. We all cover a lot of different knives here, but the Bucks don't seem to get as much coverage. Hopefully it will make some members, especially newer members, more familiar with the slip joints that Buck offers. They really are an incredible value, and an outstanding company...

I've learned an awful lot since I joined, thanks to the other members, and I look forward every day to learning something else new... I'm sure in 10 - 15 years I will still be learning. Not sure how much I will remember though, I already have troubles remembering and I'm only 49