Recommendation? Scale Pin Material

[The Zieg]

Going to local hardware store for random supplies and want to look at their metal round stock for pins. I'm going to experiment with putting custom antler scales on my Becker BK-15. What do the tinkerers here recommend for metal type? Steel? Copper? Brass (assuming they have it)? I know I can order any pin material I might want from a variety of suppliers online, but since I'm in the shop anyway . . .

Thanks in advance!

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Going to local hardware store for random supplies and want to look at their metal round stock for pins. I'm going to experiment with putting custom antler scales on my Becker BK-15. What do the tinkerers here recommend for metal type? Steel? Copper? Brass (assuming they have it)? I know I can order any pin material I might want from a variety of suppliers online, but since I'm in the shop anyway . . .

Thanks in advance!

Flared or peened

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Brass.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Welding rod. Scrape off the coating.

 

[The Zieg]

Welding rod. Scrape off the coating.

Interesting suggestion . For sure welding rod is an easy get from just about any local store. What's the attraction?

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Brass or SS. Home depot sells a few sizes. As long as you glue your scales…not sure that peening is necessary.

 

[The Zieg]

Brass or SS. Home depot sells a few sizes. As long as you glue your scales…not sure that peening is necessary.

Yes, I'm going to epoxy them and then insert the pins without any peening. Stainless steel would certainly look good against a stripped 1095 Becker.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Sounds like a fun project!

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Brass or SS. Home depot sells a few sizes. As long as you glue your scales…not sure that peening is necessary.

As long as you peen your scales, gluing is not necessary.

 

[fishface5]

Extra careful with peening on antler though right? Seems like you'd want practice to get the peening technique down first.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

As long as you peen your scales, gluing is not necessary.

Have any examples?

 

[donnord]

Brass, copper, or stainless. Welding rods will rust. If you are going to epoxy anyway the pins can be what material you want pretty much. Tubing could be fun too depending on hole size, that way you could tie the blade to stick or something.

 

[toker]

I don't make knives, but I love using mosaic pins for woodworking. But I really like seeing them used in knives.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

All factory-made stag handled knives use pins only.
Pretty large example.

 

[The Zieg]

Extra careful with peening on antler though right? Seems like you'd want practice to get the peening technique down first.

For sure! I have little experience with projects like this, but the risks are slight. I'll certainly keep you all informed once the work begins.

 

[The Zieg]

Brass, copper, or stainless. Welding rods will rust. If you are going to epoxy anyway the pins can be what material you want pretty much. Tubing could be fun too depending on hole size, that way you could tie the blade to stick or something.

I'm going to go for pins, not tube, on this project. I will likely cover the lanyard slot in the pommel, too.