Couple questions about GEC In-Process Photos

[supratentorial]

In another topic, P posted a link to some in-process photos from GEC. I think it's super cool that they shared so many detailed photos and I enjoyed seeing some of the manufacturing processes. I had a couple questions about the photos so I thought I'd make a new topic.

http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/information/building-the-outlaw

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In-process pictures here.

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~ P.

(1)
What does "coloring" mean? "Sanding and coloring the ends", "Sanding and coloring the backs", "Sanding and coloring the fronts". At first I thought it might be the application of a stain to the handle material which is not shown but they also say "Coloring the bolster end" and the bolster end does not have any handle material.

(2)
Is "Riveting the bolster pins" the same as peening?

 

[67nick]

Can't answer your questions but just wanted to say thanks for creating this thread and providing the link to the In-Process photos. I really enjoy learning about the production process involved in making a traditional folder. :thumbup:

 

[supratentorial]

Thank you, 67nick!

I asked the questions on the GEC website and received a very informative reply from Pat at GEC.

http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/forum-2/?vasthtmlaction=viewtopic&t=153.0

First thank you for your great questions here are a couple of things that might help you out. First off sanding and coloring our terms that we use in our Halfting process or Finishing Department and will be used on our Backs of the Knives and the Bolster as you had spoken about what they simply mean is the sanding part is basically explained as such: " the backs " we have a process that after the knives are assembled that takes off any of the heavy material left from assembly such as handle material or etc.. this will be done on a course belt and work to the next process on a finer grit belt but during this processing there will be some finer scratches left either on the backs or the bolsters that we here call coloring which simply means to take off the heavy left and then use whatever compound for that process to remove the scratches afterword to prepare the surface for the next stage which is using our soft buffs to bring out the shine. { guess that's how i can explain it " hope this has helped you out.

As far as riveting the bolster pins the answer is this . When you put your bolster pin threw the hole on the bolster that is considered riveting, when you follow threw about 2 or 3 processes ahead were the knife is riveted and straighten in halfting that is were the bolster pin is peened as you speak of so my answer to that would be no it is not the same.

Thank You.

V-MAN

 

[pertinux]

Thank you, 67nick!

I asked the questions on the GEC website and received a very informative reply from Pat at GEC.

http://greateasterncutlery.net/blog/forum-2/?vasthtmlaction=viewtopic&t=153.0

Thanks, Jake!

I didn't recall hearing "coloring" during my tour even with V-Man (whom you quote above) as my guide, so I didn't even pretend to try to offer an answer here (Points? ).

However, I was so busy trying to soak in everything during my time at GEC, I am sure there are things said to me that I either didn't hear or instantly forgot. My eyes and brain were full. Happy, but full.

Either way, thanks for starting this post, and following up with more information.

Next?

~ P.

 

[ea42]

Coloring is using the finest possible belt to get an almost polished finish. It is usually done on a broken down fine belt whose abrasive is nearly worn down to the plain paper, which is then sometimes waxed to give it even more slickness. When it's done right you hardly need any buffing for the final finish. You can get almost the same effect from a fine scotchbrite wheel but it's still a pretty far cry from the belt finish.

Bolsters can be colored on a broken down glazing wheel with the same effect.

Eric