Custom Slip Joint Pivot Pin

Peregrin

Peregrin

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Hi traditional knifenuts. I'm looking at buying a custom slipjoint that costs in excess of $600. It's a fairly prominent maker. It's an online seller so I can't CE & CF it. I have noticed in the knife's images that I can see the outline of the pivot pin in the bolster. I have one other custom slipjoint that was like that when it came to me, it wasn't quite as expensive. I liked the knife so I kept it, but I've always wondered whether it is really acceptable in a handmade/custom knife, in the 400 to 600 dollar range.

What are your thoughts on the subject? I'm curious to know what others in this community think.

Thanks in advance.
 
Hi Gary,

While invisible is probably best, I have some that can be seen faintly that don't cause me any sleepless nights. Worst case is that the maker can (at least sometimes) resolve the matter for you if it's troubling. I've never bothered to do so.

If you like the knife enough to want to purchase it, I wouldn't worry too much about the opinions of others (including mine). ;)
 
If the tang pins showing bothers you, just look at Jess Horn's Knives. Most all of his the tang pin shows, and they cost in the thousands....
 
Thanks for the input guys. I'll scratch that off my list of things to concern myself with, as it was something I waffled on anyway.:D
 
Pins will show for two reasons that I know of; either the pin is a different material than the bolsters or there is a gap or trapped crud between the pin and the bolster. In the latter, it sure doesn't take very much for it to show up. You can bet yerass the maker tried his darnedest to hide the pin ;)

One of the reasons T.Bose likes to use bushings is because it's easier to hide the pivot pin and they stay hidden. Why does that work, you ask? It's because the liners are primarily pressing against the bushing, not the blade, and more force can be used to blend that pin into the bolsters.
 
alot of times it isnt a mis match of materials, like using a 410 ss rod with 420 barstock how ever close the material is there is a differance that can be seen. Some of the materials like 420 may come from differant makers and do not match when polished.
 
BTW Peregrin, that's a mighty folksy avatar yer sportin there my friend. :thumbup::cool:
 
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