Nickel Allergy and bolsters?

chickenfried

chickenfried

Joined
Feb 27, 2003
Messages
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I've been hemming and hawing over a slip joint purchase. Narrowed it down to a couple all with nickel bolsters then I saw the Ka-bar coppersmith line. While researching those it jogged something in my brain. Remembered I have a nickel allergy. Have others with a nickel allergy noticed problems with knives that have nickel bolsters?

I went decades without realizing I had a nickel allergy. But made the connection that after a day of wearing a particular shirt I would have a rash where the zipper touched my skin. Also a belt buckle that would give me a rash at the end of the day where it would touch my stomach when I bent over, sat down, etc. I'm thinking for the limited time my hands touch a knife daily it shouldn't be a problem. It's not like I break out immediately upon contact...
 
If you have a nickel allergy, I would imagine it is prolonged contact that will cause issues. I believe it is the sweat that starts the reaction, and then it is trapped between you and the nickel. This is not likely to happen with a knife, unless you are using it for a really long time.

Remember that your pocket change is loaded with nickel, and I am sure that doesn't cause you any problems.
 
Nickle silver is usually around 20 % nickle. Not sure if the material as an alloy I.e. a compound that is no longer pure nickle would cause people with nickle silver a let gives to react. Worth asking the dr.
 
My wife has some serious allergies to some metals. I really think you would only have a problem if you ingested some or held it in your hand all day. You could buy a used one and try it for a bit keeping track of everything... if you find it isn't for you, sell it here and get your money back.
 
I have a bad nickel allergy too and I'm sure you'll be fine with the knife. The allergy usually only kicks up when there is prolonged exposure in a consistent location ie a ring, watch, belt buckle, zipper, bracelet, earring, or necklace. Nickel silver and other alloys will also make the allergy act up, just as pure nickel would.
If you've carried and handled spare change successfully then your nickel bolstered knife will be fine.
 
Not sure about the nickel allergy but I just order and started carrying a Coppersmith Barlow and I really like the knife. Boxier than a GEC #15 dual blade. The copper looks nice knew but… patinas very quickly. In a matter of a week it has started changing colors (blues, greens, bronzes…) on a daily basis. The blade steel is 14-4 CrMo stainless so it won't patina (I kind of like the fact that it stays shiny and rust free) but the copper bolsters make up for that IMO.

Just hope they make the 3 blade stockman as I will buy one of those as well.
 
Yeah I'd like the 14-4 which from what I've read is similar to 154cm/ats34 and the patina of copper sounds cool. Like the De Young museum in SF. I only wish the barlow really did have a wharncliffe but even then I think that model's D2

Spameater12003 said:
In a matter of a week it has started changing colors (blues, greens, bronzes…) on a daily basis. The blade steel is 14-4 CrMo stainless so it won't patina
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chickenfried said:
I've been hemming and hawing over a slip joint purchase. Narrowed it down to a couple all with nickel bolsters then I saw the Ka-bar coppersmith line. While researching those it jogged something in my brain. Remembered I have a nickel allergy. Have others with a nickel allergy noticed problems with knives that have nickel bolsters?

I went decades without realizing I had a nickel allergy. But made the connection that after a day of wearing a particular shirt I would have a rash where the zipper touched my skin. Also a belt buckle that would give me a rash at the end of the day where it would touch my stomach when I bent over, sat down, etc. I'm thinking for the limited time my hands touch a knife daily it shouldn't be a problem. It's not like I break out immediately upon contact...
Click to expand...

I don't have a nickel allergy, but I do have other allergies. I find that things which only contact my hands usually don't cause me problems. I think because the skin is thicker there. The skin on the torso is normally thinner and more sensitive to issues. So while a buckle rubbing against your torso may cause a reaction, I tend to doubt that just holding a knife in your hand will.
 
Nickel is expensive compared to white brass (a Zinc and Copper alloy). Most current applications (US coinage and knife bolsters) are white brass. So I would be more worried about a Zinc and/or Copper allergy.
 
I really have nothing to add to help chickenfried, but I wanted to note that threads like this are one of the reasons I love this place! It's great to see suggestions for problems I hadn't even dreamed existed. :D I have so much to learn, and I learn some of it almost every time I sign in here. Thanks, everyone!!

- GT
 
You might consider checking out some of the newer Canal Street knives. I don't remember exactly which ones (email me and I can link you to someone who does) but there are a few available in all stainless steel, bolsters included. I know for sure that the red G10 trapper here is all stainless.
 
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