Question about steel bolsters vs. nickel steel bolsters

[Easyrider]

I noticed that Tidioute knives use steel bolsters but the Northfield knives use nickel steel bolsters.

What is the difference and is one longer lasting than the other? Is there an appearance difference when holding the knife? What is the story here?

 

[Campbellclanman]

I always thought that the N/S was a step up in quality, I have nothing to back this up, but in most cases, when viewing a High Quality knife it usually has N/S Bolsters - I do stand to be corrected though! I kinda think that the N/S looks good too.

 

[Ryan Sumner]

Most tidioutes have nickle-silver bolsters as well as northfields, but there are a few patterns whose Tidioute side is outfitted with low-carbon steel liners and bolsters.

While having nickle silver isn't neccisarily a mark of quality, as rough rider knives have them, but it is good to note that there are varying qualities of nickle silver. My GEC knives shine whiter than my rough riders, and when the bolsters tarnish and become cloudy, they look more like silver.

 

[jon_slider]

nickel steel

nickel silver contains no steel and no silver, does not rust and is softer than steel, easier to polish

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_silver
"Nickel silver...The usual formulation is 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc.[6] ...in imitation of the Chinese alloy known as paktong (cupronickel)... After about 1920, its use became widespread for pocketknife bolsters, due to its machinability and corrosion resistance... After 1840, the development of electroplating caused nickel silver to become widely used. It formed an ideal, strong and bright substrate for the plating process. It was also used unplated in applications such as cheaper grades of cutlery."

 

[MarkPinTx]

Nickel or German Silver used to be considered a premium feature on a knife, along with brass or nickel silver liners. After WWII those features became standard and only low-cost knives had steel bolsters and liners. Steel construction would seem to be a bit sturdier than nickel silver, but I dont think it makes much difference in the end.

One thing that would seem to matter is whether the pivot pins are steel or nickel silver. I think a lot of them are nickel silver and it seems not to make a huge difference.

The Schatt & Morgan Heritage series I think really brought back the steel liners and bolsters. The bolsters were "Norway iron," which I think is a very low carbon steel, not much different from iron or more accurately wrought iron, which is also very low carbon steel. Steel being defined as iron with carbon sufficient to cause the hardenability of the alloy.

 

[link2derek]

I've noticed that the nickel silver has a touch of yellow to it (maybe it's the copper content?), but it's easier to polish than standard steel bolsters.

 

[Alnamvet68]

I've noticed that the nickel silver has a touch of yellow to it (maybe it's the copper content?), but it's easier to polish than standard steel bolsters.

You're correct in that observation. Putting my Case Barlow along side my TC Charlow, the Case's bolster is noticeably different with a hint of a brass like appearance, while the Charlow was of a purer silvery appearance.

 

[rma100]

Great Eastern Cutlery uses Steel Liners, Bolsters and Pins on some of their Tidioute Branded knives as a tribute to Traditional Pocket Knives. Nickel Silver didn't come into popular production knives until roughly the 1890's-1900. Prior to that most production folders were all steel. Since Great Eastern Cutlery is the foremost modern producer of Traditional Pocket Cutlery, they also produce some knives using these traditional materials.

 

[MarkPinTx]

You're correct in that observation. Putting my Case Barlow along side my TC Charlow, the Case's bolster is noticeably different with a hint of a brass like appearance, while the Charlow was of a purer silvery appearance.

And Rough Riders have very yellowish bolsters. And Queen's bolsters seem harder than Cases. Case bolsters seem to be susceptible to a lot of very small scratches that accumulate and make the bolsters sort of unpolishable. Not sure what's up with that.

 

[mete]

N/S is becoming more expensive and harder to find.
The SS used is 416 .It's a free machining grade of 410 and can be hardened to a degree.
N/S was extensively used for non-blade applications on knives and other uses.

 

[MarkPinTx]

N/S is becoming more expensive and harder to find.
The SS used is 416 .It's a free machining grade of 410 and can be hardened to a degree.
N/S was extensively used for non-blade applications on knives and other uses.

I was wondering about nickel silver with its high copper content, copper being a near precious metal now.

While 416 SS is used by a lot of custom makers, on the GEC and S&M steel bolstered and linered knives, the material is a low carbon steel or even wrought iron. It will patina. I'm not sure how susceptible to rust it is, as I believe higher carbon makes iron more susceptible to rust.

 

[rma100]

GEC uses low carbon steel for the bolsters, liners and pins of their all steel knives. These have the STL suffix in the Model Number on the tube.

 

[Bo T]

I'd guess that stainless steel is more durable than the nickel silver. If I wanted the looks I'd go for NS as I like the sheen better. If I wanted high durability I'd go for the SS. But most of us will never use a knife enough to tell the difference.

 

[hoppes no9]

I've noticed that the nickel silver has a touch of yellow to it (maybe it's the copper content?), but it's easier to polish than standard steel bolsters.

Yes -- I was just noticing that today. Hard to capture in a photo, but here's an attempt. Especially evident in the reflection of the grey desktop.

 

[knarfeng]

I've noticed that the nickel silver has a touch of yellow to it (maybe it's the copper content?), but it's easier to polish than standard steel bolsters.

"nickel silver" does not have an exact composition. So the color can vary a bit depending on the exact version used. I've seen some that had a slight coppery tint instead of yellow.

 

[sogflash]

I think steel bolsters wears better over time than nickel silver. Especially when the blade isn't stainless. I like how the bolster gets a patina over time like the blade, just slower.

 

[midnight flyer]

"nickel silver" does not have an exact composition. So the color can vary a bit depending on the exact version used. I've seen some that had a slight coppery tint instead of yellow.

Back in the 70s when I bought a German knife (Boker, most likely) and it had a definite yellow cast to the bolsters. Same with the Puma 4 star I got back then. With just a bit of tarnish from sitting in the drawer the bolsters almost looked like a slightly discolored brass.

Robert

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Back in the 70s when I bought a German knife (Boker, most likely) and it had a definite yellow cast to the bolsters. Same with the Puma 4 star I got back then. With just a bit of tarnish from sitting in the drawer the bolsters almost looked like a slightly discolored brass.

Robert

I've also noticed this on German-produced knives w/nickel bolsters. Their 'nickel' is definitely a little 'yellower' than typically seen on U.S.-made knives, and can actually look pretty attractive, if left to 'patina' a little bit. The brassy color gets a bit deeper, the longer it's left alone.


David

 

[richstag]

My pearl Henckels whittler does just this. It will turn yellow like brass. Looses its sheen and all. A quick polish brings it right back.

Henckels is of course made by booker in this case.

I've also noticed this on German-produced knives w/nickel bolsters. Their 'nickel' is definitely a little 'yellower' than typically seen on U.S.-made knives, and can actually look pretty attractive, if left to 'patina' a little bit. The brassy color gets a bit deeper, the longer it's left alone.


David

 

[Alnamvet68]

The nickel silver bolsters on Case knives do appear "silver like" until one puts an all steel bolstered knife next to the Case knife, and that's when one can see that ever so slight yellow tinge on the Case.