Folders- With or Without Bolsters?

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
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Do you collectors prefer a folder with bolsters, or without? Or does it matter at all? Thanks! Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
Depends on how they're used. I don't like knives that are "incoherent" in their application of design, or too eager to incorporate a feature without considering it's effect on the overall appearance.
Bolsters are a way to either continue a flow, or interrupt one. The designer needs to consider this, and address the bolster according to it's purpose in the overall look. I'd liken this to the problem many people have incorporating fonts into their documents. Use them just right, and they create a dynamic, eye catching document. Use them wrong, and you wind up printing a ransom note.

Beyond the aesthetic, there are also practical considerations. Heavy bolsters can dramatically shift balance, but can be a way to protect more delicate handle materials from heavy use. Shiny bolsters are fingerprint and scratch magnets, but great looking, and great places to put engraving.

So I guess that overall, I'm ambivalent towards bolsters. Like any other facet of design, they can be done right, or done wrong.
 
I prefer bolsters, usually titanium because I like the feel of them in my grip between my thumb and forefinger with a G-10 or Micarta in the palm of my hand.

Jason
 
To bolster or not to bolster?
As Brian stated bolsters can enhance or hurt a knife's look & feel depending on the skill of the maker and they certainly can add to the tactical style that is in vogue these days. I think bolsters can be a real eye-catcher if done well but they certainly are not necessary to achieve an awesome knife - Check out Darrel Ralph's Apogee in Titanium or Carbon Fiber, Kit Carson's Mod. 16's in skeletonized Ti or Carbon Fiber and various Elishewitz models in like handles. - just depends on the knife.

Bill
 
I like a nice bolster on a knife. One knife that I saw had very neat curves to the bolster and matching wood scales, made by Jeff Harkins I think, man did that ever look nice! The William Henry knives have a nice bolster on them too.

The Sebenza's are solid, no bolster but the sides are strong enough so it's not needed.

Fixed blades, Hidden tang knives need them to seal out the nasties, slab handle knives can go either way, I think the hidden tang is the way to go on hunter type knives to keep crud out of the handle area. Rob Hudson makes a nice hidden tang knife, very comfortable.

G2

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If you can't be kind,
at least have the decency to be vague. Stephen Wright

www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/7306/blades.html

Gillett PA

 
Gary, I saw a knife similar to what you're talking about. The bolsters had opposite S curves and the handle scales matched them perfectly. It really set the knife off!
Thanks for the input Forumites!!!!! Michael

P.S. Check out my next bolster related thread!

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
It depends on the overall design of the knife, and the choice of materials used. I don't yet collect custom folders (financial reasons), but I have a few production pieces with and without bolsters. I do think some bolsters are made Too large and detract from a balanced appearance (blade, bolsters, scales). So I vote for Both. It all depends on the knife design and overall aesthetics. Sorry for the non-answer.

Paracelsus
 
I personally like bolsters - even double bolsters on folders.

Some of my favorite bolsters are on Ralph Turnbull's folders. In fact fracmeister just posted a great picture of a stunning bolstered knife.

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