material for hidden pins

J

jgconst

Joined
Feb 9, 2010
Messages
40
I am wanting to use hidden pins on a full tang knife. I am wanting to use ironwood bolster's and buttcap with stag in between. My question is what type of pin material would work best? The pins will need to be 1/8" or smaller to have 2 pins apiece in the bolster and butt cap, they will only be a inch long. I realize they can't be very long either or I might sand too deep and expose them. Wood, metal, or micarta?

I did the search on it, but never found a recomendation of the pin material.

JG
 
One trick I have done is to use some 6/32 threaded rod. Epoxy will help get into the threads for additional strength.
 
I wouldn't use hidden pins with natural handle materials-especially stag. It need to be pinned through (with peened heads) to prevent warping.
 
Argel55 Threaded rod sounds good. Thanks

Bill With the wood on both ends of the stag, don't you think it will help hold the stag.

JG
 
Even if the wood "bolsters" are dovetailed, the warping stag will just pop them loose.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
I wouldn't use hidden pins with natural handle materials-especially stag. It need to be pinned through (with peened heads) to prevent warping.
Click to expand...

I learned my lesson with a knife I am repairing now. No more hidden pins again. Ever. Part of the problem was the fiber spacer but that's another thread. Until I get my confidence back I am gonna stick to only man made materials and concentrate on the execution of finishing and shaping the handle moreso than the material.
 
I will post pictures of the knives I bought from a Texas maker with hidden pins. I don't know how he is building them, but they seem to be holding fine. I will figure out how to post pic's tonight.

JG
 
Ok, I managed to load the pic's. Can someone resize if necessary?
I got these over a year ago and see no signs of warping. I think they look clean without the pins, and wanted to try it on my own blades.

JG
 

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You are right about the look being cleaner. That is why I did that before. It kinda pained me to drill holes in that super nice wood.
 
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I called the maker, he said three 1/8" wooden dowels per bolster, three 1/4" dowels on the middle section. He said he is not experiencing any problems with warpage. He was very gracious and willing to share information with me.

JG
 
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