Opinions on Pinched Bolsters

[dannyp]

I'm curious as to what everyone thinks about pinched bolsters. I'd also be interested to know if there was some practical reason behind it like there was for dovetailing or did it originate just for a different look. It's one of the very few things that I can't stand on a traditional pocketknife. To me it detracts from the aesthetics of any knife no matter how well it's made. My eye is always drawn to that spot on the bolster where it looks like someone smashed the heck out of it.

Part of the reason I bring it up is that while looking at the new GEC Mink and Serpentine Jack patterns, it seems that all the Northfield versions have them. It's kind of a bummer for me since the Northfield ones have the more attractive scales and in the case of the Serpentine Jack long pulls also. Oh well, I guess that just means more for the rest of you.

 

[joe-bob]

It depends on the particular knife as far as I'm concerned.

Yes, many Northfield models have them, not all.

 

[black mamba]

I have to say that pinched bolsters never bother me, but they definitely look better on some patterns than on others.

 

[Cisco Kid]

Forgive my ignorance, but what are pinched bolsters? What do they look like?

 

[Blue Sky]

Pinched bolsters don't really do much for me, I'd rather not have them.

C.K.: If you do a google image search for "pinched bolster" you'll get a lot of examples. Look at a few and I think it will become clear.

 

[T.A.DAVISON]

Forgive my ignorance, but what are pinched bolsters? What do they look like?

Here are a couple from my knives to show ya........ hope ya don't mind?

I use to pinch most all of them? now I do about 50/50 I guess???

I think they look pretty good done on certain knives and other knives look good with out them..... Good thread.

Todd

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[waynorth]

Perfect illustrative examples, Todd!

The old cutlery term is "spooned bolsters", for those interested in minutiae.
They look great on some knives. I've never heard of a practical reason for them, 'though I'm willing to learn something new, as ancient as I am!
They certainly decorate some knives! Combined with Rattails and Threads, they make these Washington Bolsters look darn good!

 

[comoha]

Here is an example of pinched bolsters on a Ken Coats single blade jack.

 

[T.A.DAVISON]

Perfect illustrative examples, Todd!

The old cutlery term is "spooned bolsters", for those interested in minutiae.
They look great on some knives. I've never heard of a practical reason for them, 'though I'm willing to learn something new, as ancient as I am!
They certainly decorate some knives! Combined with Rattails and Threads, they make these Washington Bolsters look darn good!

I really don't know why either? Maybe T. Bose would know????

Maybe it was to take some weight off the knife???

Hey Tony!! any help here???

Some fine looking oldies there Charlie..... :thumbup:

TA



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[KnifeHead]

I think its mostly decorative but removing some bulk from that part of the knife is desirable if you think about it.

 

[glocktenman]

I don't particularly like them. They look like someone dropped the knife on the bolster's end and damaged it.

Maybe bolsters are pinched to reduce the weight of a knife and add a different look?

 

[VCM3]

Is this style considered "pinched" ? It is kinda just a bevel

-Vince

 

[T.A.DAVISON]

Vince,

That would be considered pinched.

So what's your take on them? ya or na?

TA


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[VCM3]

Vince,

That would be considered pinched.

So what's your take on them? ya or na?

TA


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I like them,I think they taper the front of the knife handle,rather nicely, as it meets the blade & also adds comfort for pocket carry.
I also like a rounded front ,on a bolster,without the pinched,but as long as it is rounded nicely.

I like a lot though & dis like a little.
-Vince

 

[VCM3]

Here is two versions of the same knife,same maker.
While I do not dis like the version with the reg bolster,the pinched version is a nice extra added touch,IMO
-Vince

 

[So-Lo]

I'll most always take a pinched bolster over a plain flat bolster, I think it adds a nice 3-D detail. Whereas a flat bolster looks... plain and flat.

Some very nice knives posted here, love that Ken Coats single blade jack above :thumbup:

 

[HAKnPocket]

I have them on a northfield furtaker and I really don't think about them much. I guess if I had to go one way or another it would depend on how the knife looked. Kinds like the two Vince has just above me. For some reason I like the pinched bolsters on it.

 

[T.A.DAVISON]

Here some thing for you guys. As a maker of these knives.

When I have a knife completely done, that is the last thing I do if I'm going to add a pinch.

Is step up to a grinder running full blast (no variable speed) and free hand (no jigs or arm rest) and add the pinch.
You gotta have nerves of steel to do that and not worry about screwing the knife up.......

Us makers must be half crazy or something - I told bigal if I had to do it all over again.
I would never even start to make these knives, they are a real pain to learn to make.......
Like Tony says - " You better have a real BAD case of the want too if your going to make slip joints"

Todd


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[TLARbb]

I like them personally. Maybe not on every knife, but definitely on some. For instance I like the pinched bolster treatments on Case's new olive green series. - Ed

 

[dannyp]

I didn't realize that ones with a slight bevel like Vince posted were considered pinched as well. I don't mind that at all. The type that have a concave shape are the kind that bug me. It's also interesting to learn how you make them Todd. If you're only half crazy that's still better than some of us around here.