Jeweled thumb studs

[bladegrinder]

Hi folks, I have a liner lock I'm working on that's going to have a Mike Norris stainless damascus blade and bolsters, and ivory scales. the customer request a thumb stud with either a synthetic sapphire,
or a cz diamond. I'm thinking the diamond would look better but I can't find any. Jantz has some but not with a diamond and I can't seem to find anyone anywhere else that makes nice thumb studs.
anybody here know of anyone that makes-sells these? they can be stainless or titanium with a 1-72 thread.
Thanks.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You can get studs with CZ and have a jeweler break the stones and replace with real diamond or sapphire. IIRC, Knifekits used to sell studs with no stone in it could be wrong about that?).

Here is how I make my diamond and other gemstone thumb studs:
I use a 14-karat gold tall, tapered bezel mounting the size for the stone chosen. Let's say a .10 carat diamond which is 3mm round.
I thread the inside of the bottom of the bezel with whatever size fine pitch tap fits. Let's say it is 4-40. Occasionally, I have to weld in a sleeve of heavy-walled gold tubing to get the bottom closed up enough to tap.
If doing an ambidextrous blade (stud on both sides), I make two of these bezels.
Once the bezels are made, I set the stones - I use a 1/8" thick metal plate with a hole tapped through it that is the same size as the tapped bezel. I put a matching screw through the plate sticking out just enough to screw the bezel on and set the stone as normal. I usually finish and polish the bezel on the work plate.
Once the bezel(s) are done, I drill the blade for the screw. If planned in advance, the hole is drilled and tapped before HT. If not, just drill it for a snug slip-fit of the bolt. If a single stub is being used, countersink the blade for the flat-head screw. If ambidextrous, use a piece of a bolt just long enough to stick out both sides and screw the bezels on. I use a tiny drop of Loctite when installing the bezels for the final assembly when all else is done on the knife.

When I mount stones in the center of the scales, I do the same thing, securing it in the hole in the scale with a screw from inside the liner. For this I use straight closed bezels and weld a tube on the bottom. I drill through the bottom of the bezel and tap the tube.

I'll try and find a photo and post it later. I may have a knife with sapphire studs in the shop ready for the show in April.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

You can get studs with CZ and have a jeweler break the stones and replace with real diamond or sapphire. IIRC, Knifekits used to sell studs with no stone in it could be wrong about that?).

Here is how I make my diamond and other gemstone thumb studs:
I use a 14-karat gold tall, tapered bezel mounting the size for the stone chosen. Let's say a .10 carat diamond which is 3mm round.
I thread the inside of the bottom of the bezel with whatever size fine pitch tap fits. Let's say it is 4-40. Occasionally, I have to weld in a sleeve of heavy-walled gold tubing to get the bottom closed up enough to tap.
If doing an ambidextrous blade (stud on both sides), I make two of these bezels.
Once the bezels are made, I set the stones - I use a 1/8" thick metal plate with a hole tapped through it that is the same size as the tapped bezel. I put a matching screw through the plate sticking out just enough to screw the bezel on and set the stone as normal. I usually finish and polish the bezel on the work plate.
Once the bezel(s) are done, I drill the blade for the screw. If planned in advance, the hole is drilled and tapped before HT. If not, just drill it for a snug slip-fit of the bolt. If a single stub is being used, countersink the blade for the flat-head screw. If ambidextrous, use a piece of a bolt just long enough to stick out both sides and screw the bezels on. I use a tiny drop of Loctite when installing the bezels for the final assembly when all else is done on the knife.

When I mount stones in the center of the scales, I do the same thing, securing it in the hole in the scale with a screw from inside the liner. For this I use straight closed bezels and weld a tube on the bottom. I drill through the bottom of the bezel and tap the tube.

I'll try and find a photo and post it later. I may have a knife with sapphire studs in the shop ready for the show in April.

Holy moley, what an amazing process. Honestly, if it were me, I'd pay you or someone else to do it.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Here are some photos. I added some of another diamond embellished knife.

 

[Way-Barney]

Love what you have done with the pearl scales

 

[bladegrinder]

Thanks Stacey, all that jewelry type work is out of my wheel house though. I was hoping to find another supplier other then Knifekits or Jantz. I may go with something they offer, in the mean time I’m going to start contemplating a mini lathe and just start making them and possibly offer them for sale.

 

[12345678910]

Don't look at the knifemaker's suppliers, look at the jewelry suppliers

There are prefab press in stones.


Some wholesalers are closed to established jewelers only but
RioGrande

https://www.riogrande.com/

is open to anyone.
I have paper catalogues that are years old - very informative. That's probably all online now.


Stuller is the other one I can recall.


Also look at the natural diamonds, in thumbstud size, they are not as expensive as you think and you get bragging rights over it being "real"
Size, colour, cut clarity - you can control price with those
Keep clarity relatively high or you don't get the sparkle

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You mentioned turning the studs. I do that, too. I drill and tap a piece of round stock in whatever metal I choose and screw it on a stud mounted in a mini lathe. Then I turn it to shape and bore the gemstone seat. This allows turning ridges and such on the sides.

Love what you have done with the pearl scales

I looked at that photo and think it is actual one that was a gift to me from another maker. I do the same basic knife. I like exhibition MOP and mammoth ivory. I usually put a stone in the center of the scales and a double thumb stud with gemstones on a deluxe gent's folder.