Knives with bolsters

[Hashishiin]

I love knives with a bolster or two. They can look elegant and old fashioned such as the new BF knife I ordered, modern but with an old school flair like my fancy Espadas, "Nebraska hunting lodge in the 1970s" like a 110...

I really enjoy a curved or classic blade shape with twin curved bolsters, I really wish I had grabbed a a Schempp Bowie when it was around too. The Spyderco Navaja and Persian are another two I am looking for.

I am not only asking for good knives of this style (not just my favorite described above but yours too) but pics so feel free to share.

 

[Enactive]

I like bolsters on some more modern knives too. Ed Schempp is a design genius! The Kris is my favorite of his.

This should be a fun thread.

Good luck in your search and share what you find.

To be persnickety, the traditionalists typically call the bolsters on the non-pivot end of a knife "end caps."

 

[Synov]

 

[J. Doyle]

I like lightweight ones.

 

[Horsewright]

Done a few.

 

[Wolverine666]

I love bolsters. It usually makes the knife look much more aesthetically pleasing. I need more bolsters in my life.

 

[DavidABQ]

I tend towards traditional knives, partly because I lover bolsters and since I have a tendency to drop knives bolsters protect the rest of the knife.
I love the looks of them too!

 

[Alberta Ed]

If bolsters have a function, as on folders, fine; on FBs I don't see why bolsters are used, other than aesthetics. The knives with bolsters in the photos displayed by Horsewright are beautiful, I have to admit.

 

[DavidABQ]

Alberta Ed, I suspect that the handle scale material on a fixed blade knife may explain why bolsters may be used. I suspect using a bolster on a knife with something like stag or even wood scales with protect the front edge from abuse during cutting activities.

I am not an expert and I admit that it is speculation on my part but it does seem to make sense.

 

[jfk1110]

I like em.....

 

[M.McAlevy]

 

[Peter Hartwig]

 

[Arathol]

If bolsters have a function, as on folders, fine; on FBs I don't see why bolsters are used, other than aesthetics. The knives with bolsters in the photos displayed by Horsewright are beautiful, I have to admit.

Alberta Ed, I suspect that the handle scale material on a fixed blade knife may explain why bolsters may be used. I suspect using a bolster on a knife with something like stag or even wood scales with protect the front edge from abuse during cutting activities.

I am not an expert and I admit that it is speculation on my part but it does seem to make sense.

Bolster are I think an evolution of something that was intended to hold the knife together.
Ötzis knife, ~5000 years old....

Condors version

In many cases even today the bolster is an integral part of the handle.....

 

[Alone]

When I think about "bolsters", I think about my Dad (*RIP) and his trusty 110.

I think about that well-worn, black leather sheath that was always on his belt when he was afield.

I think about a scoped "Sears & Roebuck" .270 Winchester bolt gun.

I think about all the whitetail that I watched him gut/skin in the dim headlights of his truck.


And, I think about the S30V 110 "Auto Elite" that I would've gifted him if he were still around today...

 

[killgar]

I like double-end bolsters.

I made these ones out of 3/16ths" stainless steel.

I made these ones out of 3/16ths" aluminum. Steel would have been too heavy.

 

[Wharn]

View attachment 2341288
I love bolsters.

 

[rlewpolar]

Some micarta bolsters on a couple of file knives. I really like the look of bolsters no matter if they serve a function or not

 

[rlewpolar]

I like double-end bolsters.

I made these ones out of 3/16ths" stainless steel.

I made these ones out of 3/16ths" aluminum. Steel would have been too heavy.

That is a very impressive piece!

 

[The Grendels]

I do love a nice bolster on a knife handle. It adds so much to a simple knife design.

 

[killgar]

That is a very impressive piece!

Thank you .