Favorite Traditional Bolster Material?al

What is your favorite traditional user bolster material?

  • Barehead (no bolsters)

    Votes: 4 12.5%

  • Iron/Steel

    Votes: 12 37.5%

  • Brass

    Votes: 4 12.5%

  • German Silver

    Votes: 13 40.6%

  • Copper

    Votes: 2 6.3%

  • Aluminum

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Stainless Steel

    Votes: 9 28.1%

  • Other (Please specify in your post)

    Votes: 2 6.3%
  • Total voters
    32
afishhunter

afishhunter

Basic Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2014
Messages
14,464
We have threads on what your favorite blade(s) are on your traditionals. What your favorite blade steels are on your traditionals, and, What your favorite handle materials are.
We don't have one on what your favorite bolster materials are on your user or working Traditionals.
So, I thought I would start one. :)
(Besides, I'm curious about what it is.)
You can vote for as many as you like.
I did not specify what finish you prefer; brushed, mirror polish, etc. or any decorations such as ringed, fluted, or engraved. If you like, you can specify these aspects when you post. :)
(edit: oops. I forgot the "/Nickle Silver" after "German Silver" in the poll.)
Pictures of course, are welcome.

I like Steel, Brass, Copper, and Stainless steel the best, preferably with a brushed finish, so that they are not a fingerprint/smudge magnet.
 
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I really like shadow patterns, so it is barehead for me. The 2015 forum knife was really pretty much my ideal traditional knife. Stainless, barehead, wood scales. All my favorites.
 
I'm with Rick. Just give me brushed or satin finish stainless. 2nd is nickle steel, like some GEC's with the slightly gold tint to it.
 
Brushed stainless steel bolsters for me

stag_chambriards.jpg~original


G2
 
I love them without bolsters, with brass bolsters, or nickel silver bolsters.
I haven't had a knife with true iron or carbon steel bolsters, but I do love the look they have when old.
 
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I actually like brass bolsters. They develop a nice patina, and just st smell like "knife" to me.

I also grew up on Bucks... so...
 
Hickory n steel said:
I no bolsters, brass bolsters, and nickel silver bolsters.
I haven't had a knife with true iron or steel bolsters, but I do love the look they have when old.
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you like not having bolsters on your knife?
I actually prefer having nikkel silver bolsters on my knives i think it gives the knife more class (bolsters on both sides btw)
 
I guess it depends on the knife for what works best. I am open to anything if it looks right (and functions), stainless, brass, etc. If I have to choose one, I will say nickel steel.
 
Kevin-B said:
you like not having bolsters on your knife?
I actually prefer having nikkel silver bolsters on my knives i think it gives the knife more class (bolsters on both sides btw)
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Well I like my sodbuster, my Victorinox MFK'S, my Vic pocket pal ( classic pen knives are just special for some reason ).
There are knives where it's appropriate not to have bolsters which are just known without them, and I wouldn't want to ruin them with bolsters.
 
Hickory n steel said:
Well I like my sodbuster, my Victorinox MFK'S, my Vic pocket pal ( classic pen knives are just special for some reason ).
There are knives where it's appropriate not to have bolsters which are just known without them, and I wouldn't want to ruin them with bolsters.
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I mean yeah, i get why you wouldn't want to put bolsters on a victorinox or a sodbuster, but if i could choose between a knife with bolsters or a knife without i wouod choose the one with bolsters because like i said i think bolsters on both sides give the knife more class and it makes it less scary in a way.
 
Kevin-B said:
I mean yeah, i get why you wouldn't want to put bolsters on a victorinox or a sodbuster, but if i could choose between a knife with bolsters or a knife without i wouod choose the one with bolsters because like i said i think bolsters on both sides give the knife more class and it makes it less scary in a way.
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I think it totally depends on the knife, I could see a Case Slimline single blade trapper, a peanut, or a toothpick without bolsters.
I have no affinity for knives with or without bolsters, it just depends on the how the particular knife ends up looking and whether the handle material is complimented by the bolsters.

Btw you're telling me that a classic little pen knife would look less scary with bolsters ? As if any traditional slipjoint ever looks scary ?
 
Hickory n steel said:
I think it totally depends on the knife, I could see a Case Slimline single blade trapper, a peanut, or a toothpick without bolsters.
I have no affinity for knives with or without bolsters, it just depends on the how the particular knife ends up looking and weather the handle material is complimented by the bolsters.

Btw you're telling me that a classic little pen knife would look less scary with bolsters ? As if any traditional slipjoint ever looks scary ?
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No a traditional knife would never be and will never be as scary as a modern knife but i think for some reason bolsters make a knife less scary i dont know why but i just think of it that way.
Plus i think what you said about the bolsters complementing the handle material is also a major thing.
 
Nickel Silver (German Silver)
Stainless (but I actually prefer a mild shine and buff up the matte ones)
Steel, especially if it has stampings.

Shadow is very good on certain knives, so too are the elegant tip bolsters.

For me, Brass & Copper are original sins :D I just hate the smell brass gives off, leaves on your hand and that green funky verdigris.. :eek: It's also soft and it's one reason I've never fancied the large Buck, decent & iconic knife that it is.
 
For me, the pattern decides my answer most often! There are some that need a bolster to look good IMO, and there are others that bolsters would loook out of place...
As for the bolsters themselves, I really like nickel silver most of the time:thumbsup:
 
Nickle silver all day long, it looks and works nice, it polishes and buffs out to such a deep sheen. It contrasts natural handle materials so nicely I couldn't think of anything nicer on a traditional knife.
 
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