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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Fitting Materials: Vote for your favorites.
- Thread starter ptgdvc
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2000
- Messages
- 2,785
I'll address guards only, if there is a feruleor butt cap it must match the guard IMO.
Likes: damascus, stainless steel, bronze, copper, some mokume on the right piece, brass if it fits the knife
Dislikes: nickle silver, aluminium, plastics, anything but steel on a full tang knife
Likes: damascus, stainless steel, bronze, copper, some mokume on the right piece, brass if it fits the knife
Dislikes: nickle silver, aluminium, plastics, anything but steel on a full tang knife
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2006
- Messages
- 13,363
I like stainless steel as most of my pieces are engraved.
Also like damascus fittings and am OK with nickle silver as I have never had a problem with it even though some bitch about it non stop.
Also like damascus fittings and am OK with nickle silver as I have never had a problem with it even though some bitch about it non stop.
- Joined
- Dec 2, 1999
- Messages
- 9,910
I like stainless but still have a love for nickel. My favorite is 4140 engraved and gun blued.
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2002
- Messages
- 12,297
Damascus and wrought iron.
- Joined
- May 9, 2000
- Messages
- 29,205
In addition to the ones I chose from your list, I also really like silver.
- Joined
- Jul 23, 1999
- Messages
- 1,409
In no particular order, I like the following:
Nickel Silver: For its ease of working/finishing
Stainless (416): for pieces that will be engraved
Iron (and 4140): for pieces that will be engraved and/or blued
Damascus: For higher dollar pieces, and for those situations where it just "fits" the knife.
I have also used Sterling Silver and Pure Silver, as well as Bronze, but those materials are the exceptions.
As a maker, my list is based on materials that not only compliments the particular knife design, but on the working qualities of the material(s). For example, placing damascus fittings on a knife will make it a higher end piece simply because of the additional time and labor it takes to work the material and make the finished piece come out correctly. Take the same blade and handle material, and use Nickel Silver, and the end cost is greatly reduced. Another example is that most makers who intend to engrave the fittings will choose 416SS or Iron/steel for the fittings because nickel silver or any of the softer materials are simply a pain to engrave as the tend to "gall" and tear, rather than cut cleanly. Ask an experienced maker why he/she chooses to use a specific material, and if he/she is being honest, chances are your answer will have something to do with choosing one over the other because of its construction qualities for a given type/style of knife.
Nickel Silver: For its ease of working/finishing
Stainless (416): for pieces that will be engraved
Iron (and 4140): for pieces that will be engraved and/or blued
Damascus: For higher dollar pieces, and for those situations where it just "fits" the knife.
I have also used Sterling Silver and Pure Silver, as well as Bronze, but those materials are the exceptions.
As a maker, my list is based on materials that not only compliments the particular knife design, but on the working qualities of the material(s). For example, placing damascus fittings on a knife will make it a higher end piece simply because of the additional time and labor it takes to work the material and make the finished piece come out correctly. Take the same blade and handle material, and use Nickel Silver, and the end cost is greatly reduced. Another example is that most makers who intend to engrave the fittings will choose 416SS or Iron/steel for the fittings because nickel silver or any of the softer materials are simply a pain to engrave as the tend to "gall" and tear, rather than cut cleanly. Ask an experienced maker why he/she chooses to use a specific material, and if he/she is being honest, chances are your answer will have something to do with choosing one over the other because of its construction qualities for a given type/style of knife.
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2005
- Messages
- 3,972
Placing an order, top three would be damascus, stainless or iron.
Purchasing, depends on the knife. Would consider other fittings.
- Joe
Purchasing, depends on the knife. Would consider other fittings.
- Joe
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2006
- Messages
- 1,109
In order starting with my favorite, Damascus, Nickel Silver and Bronze.