How should I make these parts?

T

ThirdEye4013

Joined
Nov 10, 2010
Messages
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Hello folks. I am pretty new at Knife making and Ive only been doing stock removal on high carbon steel. I haven't got into forging just yet. I am pretty educated on this subject, considering all i ever do is look at custom knives, study articles, and watch movies. But I have a couple questions for my next project, and for future reference. I would love to hear some of you're guy's methods on making Bolsters and end caps (<not sure that's the word.) out of raw material. Right now im making a Straight Razor, I want to make a Brass bolster and end cap with probably antler in the center. In case you guys are lost by my lack of vocabulary here is a link to a picture with basically the same style I want, just different materials.

http://pvk.com/0013/frostrazornew.jpg

So I'm wondering do you guys just order bolsters and stuff from knife making supply stores or do you make your own from raw material like brass or aluminum? I prefer the custom method, but I don't know what i should look for to make a brass bolster.

Seems like you have to be rich to have all this raw material. Do any of you guys have any sources of brass and aluminum, from lets say some plumbing part at the hardware store or something? because all i need is maybe an inch by an inch and a half of brass, it would be expensive and a waste to buy a sheet, considering they probably only sell in large amounts.

Edit: Oh shoot I almost forgot, does anyone have a layout template of all the parts of a straight razor? I mean it seems simple enough, but might as well follow a method that's known to work.

Thank you all for providing this great community, Ive browsed this site for a long time and love the environment here. I have a ton of questions for you all and I hope you are just as willing to teach me as I am to learn from the best.

Thanks for your time,
Cody D
 
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You should be able to find brass and aluminumin smaller sizes at your local hardware store like ace, home depot, or Lowes. Its normally around the hardware.
 
Okay ill keep looking my local hardware stores are pretty limited, my home depot is more like an IKEA... lol

But thanks a lot for the response.
Please anyone that can help with the rest please do!

Like is there a product u guys use for scrap metal when u cant get raw material in a sheet? Like how files are a pretty decent source of High Carbon Steel.
 
Most makers buy their bolsters in stock form and shape/finish them according to the knife design. A few damascus makers will sell a 6" piece considering 4" for the blade and 2" for bolsters. Any material should work, although aluminum might be a bit soft and oxidizes easily. I really like titanium, although some say it is too difficult to work with. The fact that in 100 years it will look the same as it does today is what I like about it. To each their own.
 
Hmmm... Now your getting me thinking, maybe i should just go with some damascus... Good idea mate, and thanks for your help Zaph1. I was about to use some scrap aluminum I had laying around. but that wouldn't be as pretty as i want, and like you said its soft as heck. Wait maybe even some Mokume if i can find some decent priced! that would be beautiful! Man... Knife making is such an amazing art I should of picked up years ago!

But yeah, I may need to invest in a small amount of Titantium or find some, in a very thin size as spacers for the bolster, buttcap, and scale to epoxy on to. And add in a little bit of File Work.
 
A couple of things that I have learned while hanging around here.
1. Fill out your profile so people know what area you live in. This could help people direct you to places,people or events in your area.
2. Read all the stickies at the top of this forum.There is a ton of great info there.
 
Okay thanks for the advice. Yeah Ive been meaning to do both, just been all over the place busy.

But Im in Detroit Metro, Michigan, USA if that helps any.
 
You can buy an old straight razor pretty cheap and that will make a good starter template to get your first going. For folders I get the liners set with all the holes drilled and then mount the bolster which is bigger than needed. Once it is fastened in place I shape to match the liner. You will have to give some thought on how to fasten your bolster in place, pin, solder, glue, combo?? Make sure the edge of the bolster is square and the upper and lower edges are parallel (or a some pre-concieved angle) so you can fit your handles.

Good Luck
 
Awesome, Thanks man. Very informative. Ill probably end up doing that and buying a cheap-o to take apart. Unless someone beats me to it and posts one taken apart for me *Crossing Fingers* But really Pat, thanks, because I would of probably traced my idea of the bolster on the material and cut it out then attached it to the rest, instead of the way you suggested that is a lot smarter way to go about doing it. I'm just hoping and praying i can score some Mokume!
 
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