Looking for opinions on a project

[jsdistin]

The plan is to create from scratch a Washington bolster 77 frame for a match strike clip point and a cap lifter combo. It will be all nickel silver bolsters liners, and pins with interior mammoth ivory scales, I’m debating whether or not to do a shield but that’s not the question. The question is what to do with the butt end bolsters. I don’t believe I can do any text there without it looking like garbage using separate letter stamps or being foolishly expensive having some sort of die made. I don’t think plain is an option. So I think the choices are mirroring the the other bolster in some fashion. I drew up what I think are the 3 options and also included real examples to show how they would likely look. I am leaning towards one of them but am looking for other opinions on what would look best. First picture is an original Washington bolster knife.


Here are the options: 1. Is a direct mirroring of the other bolster.


2. Is just a rat tail.




3. Is just the single grove.





I don’t think there are any other options that would with fit or look right for instance adding another space and groove to the top option would get too close to the end of the bolster to look right. So does anyone have any opinions on what would look best and why? Thanks for sharing.

 

[JustinR]

I like rat tails but on that particular knife I think mirroring the top bolster would probably look best.

 

[Railsplitter]

I'll also cast a vote for option #1.

 

[JohnDF]

Option #3
The bolster is so artistic and a little busy looking, I'd do something simple to the end caps so the bolsters remain the primary feature of the knife.

 

[waynorth]

A sunburst at the bottom might be right?? Along with the Washington top??

 

[Sabercat]

I personally feel that just the groove would be best. And followed closely by just the rat tail.

Of course, just my opinion, but I feel that mirroring the top bolster, which is pretty ornate, would be over the top.

A simple groove or rat tail would break up the empty space of the end bolster, without the threat of perhaps going too far with the decoration.

Admittedly though, sometimes I have trouble visualizing things until they come closer to fruition.

 

[Frailer]

Another vote for #3. It mirrors the grooves in the pivot-end bolster without being overly ornate.

 

[abbydaddy]

Option 1, mirroring the top, just sounds too pretty to me to pass up in favor of the simpler options.

 

[black mamba]

I personally feel that rattails, especially wider ones, look best (maybe even only look good) on square bolsters. For me that eliminates 1 and 2. #3 is OK, but could use a little more. I would go with two parallel grooves on the head bolster.

 

[jsdistin]

J JustinR , Railsplitter , JohnDF , waynorth , Frailer , Sabercat , abbydaddy , @blackmamba, I wish I could say that you guys made the decision easier but you all had great input on different options with good reasoning behind it. Charlie that was an unexpected option, looks great on those knives, are they the model for the 29’s? I didn’t see a waynorth cutlery sfo for that model will there be one added? Thanks again guys

 

[lambertiana]

I think a single groove would be classy.

 

[glennbad]

Honestly, I don't see anything wrong with plain. Here's one I did for reference...





That being said, a single groove on the bottom would go well with the fancy top bolster

 

[r8shell]

Make it a barehead Jack. Problem solved!

Seriously, I'd say start with plain (which looks pretty good there, Glenn) and see if it really needs more ornamentation after you have it in hand. If you add a single groove, I like the way you have it drawn as a sharp "V", rather than a rounded "U". It fits more with the flat, beveled bolster.

 

[jsdistin]

Honestly, I don't see anything wrong with plain. Here's one I did for reference...


View attachment 1159369


That being said, a single groove on the bottom would go well with the fancy top bolster

That’s a really nice job there

Make it a barehead Jack. Problem solved!

Seriously, I'd say start with plain (which looks pretty good there, Glenn) and see if it really needs more ornamentation after you have it in hand. If you add a single groove, I like the way you have it drawn as a sharp "V", rather than a rounded "U". It fits more with the flat, beveled bolster.

The file that I will be using is a small triangular one so the grooves will end up be a v like that. I had actually deepened the grooves in the top picture so that’s how they will turn out. That ones not quite done as I am letting the pins settle in before I to the final sanding and polishing. When I had started this thread I was thinking I would do the first option, but after seeing what people had to say and letting the options sink in myself I’m leaning more towards the single groove. I’m also surprised I hadn’t originally thought to just do the file work after, I think it’s because for the top bolsters I’m planning on doing the file work with one longer piece of nickel silver that I’ll then cut in half and put one so that the mark and pile sides are exactly the same. A simple groove is a lot easier and can certainly be done after and there’s less danger of the filings getting in the blade action and grinding it up. I think I will start with it plain and the go back later if I think it needs it, unless I go with the more ornate option in which case I think I’ll do that as one big piece as well. Thanks again for the suggestions everyone, I really can’t wait to get started, the materials should come tomorrow. Unfortunately now I’m wavering between African Blackwood and Mammoth Ivory.

 

[Will Power]

Still wavering? Blackwood is a safer more durable choice and looks good on any frame, Mammoth is more questionable, probably fragile.

I'd argue that Rat-Tail is the better choice due to balance and it's always a hallmark for quality.

 

[jsdistin]

I went with plain end bolster for now and will change it if it needs it, also went with the African Blackwood covers, I couldn’t wait to get started and I had it on hand, I also think the nickel silver and black go together well, there were some problems and errors along the way and in the final result but nothing so bad as to start over. I can do it again in a few months anyway. Here are some pics completed and with a genuine one. The real deal is obviously better. They just don’t make it with a pinchable clip point. Thanks for your help in deciding everyone!