Pewter

[indian george]

Where is the best place to buy it?????

 

[Jay Mulcahy]

Hey I.G. if you find a source, let me know. I'd like to order some too. Maybe we could split an order and save shipping. I got the tacks for the bone handles in, they look good. I'll tryand call you tomorrow around lunch time.

 

[Gib Guignard]

Don't know if it is the best but Rio Grande has it.
www.riogrande.com 800 545 6566. If you don't have there catalog you need it. Another place is a place that casts these small figurines like are used in Dungeons and Dragons. Gib

 

[Wild Rose]

Like Gib said - Rio Grande 6 lb ingot for $29.00
Another source is Purity Alloys
http://www.purityalloys.com/Pewter Casting Alloys.htm (25
lb min at $8.00 a pound)

They also have Babitt Metal which is a bit harder than pewter

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

IG,what do you want pewter for?Its way too soft for guards and pommels.Not even good for menuki.Use nickle silver or sterling.Maybe it is for your new line of
"tin bikers",little figurines of famous Hell's angels members.

 

[Wild Rose]

IG,what do you want pewter for?Its way too soft for guards and pommels.

I have to disagree - Yes pewter's on the soft side when compared to nickel or silver, but was frequently used for both cast in place bolsters and cast in place butt caps during the 18th/19th century and there are many well used knives of that period with pewter bolsters/caps still extant-
FWIW - Here's one of my current examples:

Nope wouldn't want to use it as a hammer, but then I'd never recommend or warranty that anyway no matter what the material - except maybe if I made tacticals and used something like stainless.....

BTW - Babbitt is not much harder and is used for bearings

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Wild Rose - I was mostly ribbing IG.You are correct,of course ,that it has been used for centuries on knives and cutlery-With reliable results.I have two mid 1800's hunting knives ,from my fathers family in Germany (aus mein ur-urgrosvater),with pewter hardware.However ,for tougher,more modern fittings,a harder metal is preferred (unless you are casting in place).BTW your knives are wundervar.

 

[Wild Rose]

Howdy bladsmith - always a bit hard to tell on the forums so....
I'd like to see those German knives - if you can post a picture great but if not maybe you can email them to me - chuck@wrtcleather.com

As for IG - I think he's got some early American style knives in the works - note Jay's note re:the tacks and bones.

BTW - the first knife I ever cobbled together was per WB Hunt's instructions with a cast babbit metal bolster - like this:
http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_pewter.html

And thanks for your comments re: our knives......

 

[indian george]

Thanks Guys!!! You too Stacy I think??????? Jay and myself are going to make some period pieces. With elk and deer bone handles. Love the look of them.
Chuck: Did you ever get the anchor chain????
Jay: You should come over GrassHoppa, Beaver and Paul S. are coming over today. GrassHoppa said he is bring a Prime Rib Roast for us. If GrassHoppa lets me down I am going to start calling him HIGGY JR.