Do Bolsters Make the Knife?

5K Qs

5K Qs

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I apparently have too much time on my hands, since I've been thinking about bolsters lately. Here are some questions I have.

1) Do bolsters serve a function, or are they mainly for looks? My instinct is that they serve no major function, since knives come in such a variety of bolster (and no bolster) configurations.

2) If bolsters ARE functional, are "full bolsters" better than tip bolsters or bareheaded or shadow patterns? Are square bolsters better than round ones?

3) Do you have a preference when it comes to bolster style? I generally prefer bolsters to no bolsters, and 2 bolsters to 1 (I guess Barlows are an exception, but maybe they really have 2 bolsters worth of metal just all squeezed to the same end :confused:) and I prefer round bolsters to square ones. I don't really care for the looks of pinched or dimpled or slanted bolsters, but I often like rat-tail or threaded bolsters. I don't think I can justify these preferences other than as a matter of personal taste.

Anyway, I'd like to hear others' opinions. Thanks.

- GT
 
My preference for the type of bolsters, or no bolsters at all, depends on the knife, but there isn't much I don't like :)
 
They definitely seem to help with making a knife sturdier in use, especially so with the beefy 'Barlow' bolster. They also help protect bone covers from cracking if the knife is dropped. Some finer knives, and especially mother of pearl knives have tip bolsters, which do nothing to make it sturdier in use, but seem to help prevent cracks, and they tend to cut down on weight as well. It seems to me like it's a bit of give and take regarding sturdiness of the pivot pin, the ruggedness to protect the handle materials and the weight.

One more thing to note is that the case chestnut Sodbuster doesn't have bolsters, even though the sodbuster pattern is said to be a hard use pattern. I have been using mine very hard at work, and it has developed some play, although I later fixed it (VERY CAREFULLY!) with a ball/peen and anvil. Bolsters help with easily fixing bladeplay with a much lower chance of the handle cracking.

One more thing that you might not think of is that the fact that the whole knife is constructed with bone that run the whole length of the handle, the handle seems more solid than some knives that have a single small bolster.

_7150420_zpsc606c234.jpg
 
To my eye, the type of bolster which works the best is pattern dependent.

I like fancy bolsters more than some do, but they really look best on a large, bold pattern like this English jack.
DHIIImod_zpscfe57824.jpg~original


At the other end of the spectrum, pen knives do well with tip bolsters like this swell center Robeson.
RobSE-MarkOpen_zps9c511a36.jpg~original


Jacks tend to look best as a barehead, with a bolster just at the pivot end. Threaded or rat-tail goes well with fancy handle materials and long pulls.
RS_MHLB_zps5f1d79cd.jpg~original


On this primitive bone premium stockman, the slanted, threaded and pinched bolsters look right at home against the long pull and cut swedge.
PrimRoperMark.jpg~original


Also, in use I prefer round bolsters for pocket carry, and they work well with my preference for smooth cam tangs as well.
This should be a very interesting thread, thanks for posting, GT.
 
black mamba said:
To my eye, the type of bolster which works the best is pattern dependent.

This should be a very interesting thread, thanks for posting, GT.
Click to expand...

Thank YOU, Jeff. Beautiful photos that help me start to appreciate your "pattern dependent" bolster preferences.

- GT
 
Bolsters at one time served a purpose beyond cosmetics, and that's when they were actually a part of the frame, giving it more strength, as opposed to now just an add on embellishment. I prefer a bolster that is pinched and fluted, like on the Charlow, where there is an embossed letter of the brand.
 
In my experience my knives tend to fall into two categories: those I collect mostly to look at and admire fine craftsmanship, and those I use the snot out of regularly. I find that on knives that I carry a lot, the bolsters (and the pins that are in them) that are wider take more abuse that the more narrow ones. I also find that larger diameter pins seem to stay in place longer under heavy use. This is perhaps the result of some sort of extra amount of contact and friction created between the bolster and pin. I once thought that longer bolster meant stronger knife (as in Barlows), but I now lean toward thicker liners and wider bolsters with larger pivot pins on knives that I know I will abuse.
 
Alnamvet68 said:
Bolsters at one time served a purpose beyond cosmetics, and that's when they were actually a part of the frame, giving it more strength, as opposed to now just an add on embellishment. I prefer a bolster that is pinched and fluted, like on the Charlow, where there is an embossed letter of the brand.
Click to expand...

I remember in some other thread Tony Bose commenting that the difference in strength between integral bolsters and soldered bolsters was very small, if anything the integral bolsters were a cosmetic extra.
 
I like rounded bolsters for pocket carry. With this Schrade, the blade backs sit flush with the bolsters so there are no sharp protrusions when closed. One thing I know about the utility of bolsters is that they have protected the handles of many knives I have fumbled and dropped.


Ndoclqk.jpg
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ismaris said:
I like rounded bolsters for pocket carry. With this Schrade, the blade backs sit flush with the bolsters so there are no sharp protrusions when closed. One thing I know about the utility of bolsters is that they have protected the handles of many knives I have fumbled and dropped.
Click to expand...

That is a great-looking knife, ismaris!:thumbup: Wow!!
I think the pocket carry issue is probably one reason I'm drawn to the rounded bolsters. It seems like I wear out my front pockets long before the rest of the pants, and I hope that rounded bolsters might be easier on the pockets than square bolsters are.

- GT
 
5K Qs said:
That is a great-looking knife, ismaris!:thumbup: Wow!!
I think the pocket carry issue is probably one reason I'm drawn to the rounded bolsters. It seems like I wear out my front pockets long before the rest of the pants, and I hope that rounded bolsters might be easier on the pockets than square bolsters are.

- GT
Click to expand...

Thank, GT. I paid ten bucks for that knife in '67. Always one of my favorites.
 
Yes, especially on Barlows. I like rounded bolsters like on the old Queen barlows (which
they don't seem to make anymore :-( Queen had them as a integral frame and a
back spring that would snap like a snapping turtle. A Queen barlow was my first
knife given me by my grandfather 60+ years ago. It had a jigged bone handle.
I finally found a newer one ('76) with a Delrin handle that I jigged to look more
like bone and filed a flute on the end of bolster down by the handle. I miss good
barlows - can't seem to find any except the outrageous priced ones by modern
US makers.

Rich
 
Jeff pretty much said what I would. Likely said it better though.
I'll add this Schrade/Kious reverse Congress to the group of bolster images. I think it enhances the knife.
schrade kious.jpg
 
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On a typical single blade I don't think it makes the knife any stronger, except for the drop factor. Cutting is only done in one direction. Maybe heavy whittling may cause some side to side action, but everyday cutting? I would trust a barehead for sturdiness. An electrician knife or Radio knife with a screwdriver is a different story.
 
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