recessed pins...

S

slopingcompanion

Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
84
I have been concerned/curious about whether or not pins that are peened below the scale surface is acceptable.
I have noticed it on many GEC knives. It doesn't really bother be that much personally, but I have noticed in the marvelous "old knives" thread that almost all pins are flush.
Any collectors who would send a knife back if the pins are not flush with the scales?
 
I never really noticed or put much thought to it. I know on my stag scaled knives that the pin is actually ground down (the ones closest to the bolsters) to some degree, as stag scales are usually on the thick side and are ground down flush to the bolsters. Other than that I just assumed that the pins being slightly above the scales were inherent to slip joint style knives. My observations are for factory knives as I presently do not own a custom one.
 
On my GEC #25, several pins are below the surface of the scales. A collector might be bothered by this, but as a user I'm not too concerned. The scales are buffalo horn, which is probably hard to work with due to shrinkage. I'm guessing that it's easier to make the pin depth consistent with other materials.
 
I myself like the aesthetics of pins polished even with the scale on smooth scale surfaces. Perhaps there is a reason for it but I dont understand why on a smooth scale knife some pins will be polished flush and others sit proud or are sunken.
 
On a stag handled GEC I have -73 Liner lock- 2 of the pins are below the surface of the handle.This may be because it is extremely thick stag in places. It does bother me a bit from a visual point of view and would in an ideal world like to have these 2 pins with rounded heads outside the stag like the other pins. Must search for some brass pins on-line.....
 
Don't know about everyone but I use a tapered reamer (10*) on my scales this littel bit allows for the expantion of the pin in the scale it's self and keeps the scales on tight. Even if the pins are domed(left proud as one put it) this helps keep the scales in place. Alot of custom makers will use Nickel silver in place of stainless pins for their scales because it peens easier, 1/16" pins usualy.
 
Sunk pins are no accident, they are done intentionally. All makers I know either taper or dual-diameter the hole in the slab and make it a couple thousandths larger than the hole in the liner to insure there is no pressure on the slabs themselves. I think a sunk pin that is domed beneath the surface has more strength than a peened pin ground off with the handle material. I have had many peened/ground peens that the slab will move up/down on; but never had a sunk pin come loose.
 
thx guys, when I move from making fixed blades to folders I will keep allthis in mind. In the mean time I will feel better about sunken pins......maybe its this recession I have been reading about that got me thinking!
 
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