Metal bolsters: form, function, or both?

[Mentor]

Hi all,

I'm working on a new full-tang outdoors knife, and I haven't decided whether or not I should add steel bolsters. The handle will be contoured, and will either be a dense wood or G-10 (a first for me). This will be a user.

In the past, I have built camp knives with and without bolsters. While working on this new piece, it occurred to me that I don't know what purpose bolsters serve, beyond adding some eye candy to a knife (not that there's anything wrong with that!). The only advantage I can think of in terms of function is that steel bolsters provide a hard surface between your blade and handle, which might prevent the handle material from getting dinged up. However, I have used bolster-less knives for all sorts of outdoors tasks, and the handles never seem to suffer for it. On the disadvantage side, bolsters add to the weight of a knife.

What do you think? Do bolsters add something in terms of functionality / durability, or are they purely aesthetic?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Best,

- Mike

 

[m. wohlwend]

They increase the weight of the knife and change the balance.

 

[Fiddleback]

Depends. They can serve to keep blood from getting into the spongy part of the antler (center) on an antler handled knife.

 

[siguy]

i don't personally see too much merit in a fixed blade knife having bolsters. in a folding knife it can be argued that they reinforce the pivot pin area...but in a fixed blade i think it is mostly for aesthetic reasons.

they do function in a couple of ways as previously stated though...they can seal the end of the handle material (in our case it doesn't seem a concern) and it can change the balance.

 

[fujita yuji]

In cold condition, metal bolster can stick to bare fingers, which I realized when using in winter camp.

 

[Bushman5]

Hi fujita yuji , shall i send you a pair of Canadian winter hunting mitts?

 

[Mentor]

Thanks for the replies, guys. This knife won't have a spongy handle material, so I'm left with the weight / balance factors to consider in terms of bolster function. Looks like this one may be sans bolsters. I'll post pics when it's done, of course.

All the best,

- Mike

 

[fujita yuji]

Hi, Bushman5. That sounds very warm and comfortable. Thanks

Anyway, I use my home made fixed blade when out in the field.
It's made by M2 steel with no chrome platings that turned to somewhat dark colour
as I use it for some 10 years. Its handle is also in dark colour that a shining bolster
makes a marking between blade and handle. May not be a functionally essential
feature but still is something useful.

 

[LeeCQC]

I actually like bolsters on knives. They give them a classy look and feel, imo.

 

[Gossman Knives]

Most hardware on knives is more for looks unless it's a guard. If your bolsters are directly on the knife without an extention for a finger guard, then it really serves only to add to it's appearance. As far as balance, if the blade/handle ratio is right, the bolster won't through off the balance, only add weight. Brass and nickel silver are heavier then stainless. The biggest concern with adding a bolster is the additional weight.
Scott