Scale pins?

J. Hoffman

J. Hoffman

Joined
Jan 1, 2011
Messages
1,798
How are mosaic pins used to hold on scales? I read the tutorial on putting on scales, and it seems to kind of glance over the use of pins. I think that the epoxy is doing the holding, and the pins are just there mainly as decoration. What about Corby bolts and Loveless bolts that I see advertised. Are those just tightened down and then files flush with the handle scales? I want to make sure I have everything I need for my first knife before I start. And I'm looking at using the Mosaic pins.
Thanks in advance.
Jess
 
Mooseyard said:
What about Corby bolts and Loveless bolts that I see advertised. Are those just tightened down and then files flush with the handle scales?
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Yes. They're the greatest thing since cold beer.

Solid pins can be peened to hold the scale tight to the tang. Folks have used that technique for, well since long before cold beer.

Mosaic pins will add strength only in terms of the scale shearing off sideways if the knife is dropped. I don't know of a way to peen them without ruining them. I use them only as decoration, in conjunction with both Corby's and epoxy.

Corby's and peened solid pins provide strength both ways, holding the scales tight and stopping them from shearing off under a beating. Epoxy adds some strength and assures no moisture can get under the scales and cause rust.
 
I don't use too many mosaic pins anymore but I used to.

There's no doubt corbys, loveless bolts and the like are much stronger fasteners than mosaic pins. But....

With proper surface prep and a good quality reliable epoxy like acraglas, west systems, etc.... those scales aren't going to pull off there. I don't know what you'd have to do to that knife short of intentional destruction to have scales tear loose from a properly constructed knife with proper epoxy.

For the record, I still prefer corbys to pins just for the added peace of mind. I got tired of finding voids, holes, and having the tiny inner pins of mosaics come apart. But I never had any problems with scales coming off to my knowledge.
 
Nothing wrong with pins. They protect against shear forces. The glue protects from separation.

They also look SO COOL!
 
I have taken the scales off of knives that I used Mosaic pins and epoxy on. I had to work hard to get the scales off. They were not going anywhere without deliberate effort being applied to remove them. Although Loveless and corby bolts add another level of attachment that mosaic pins cannot the mosaic pins and properly applied epoxy make for a very secure attachment system.
 
thartman said:
...mosaic pins and properly applied epoxy make for a very secure attachment system.
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That's true. BUT... what if the epoxy was old, improperly mixed, some doofus runs the knife through the dishwasher 8 or 9 times, the maker used acetone to clean the tang and there's a greasy film on it... etc. If it can go wrong, it eventually will.

Threaded mechanical fasteners are virtually idiot-proof, and being an idiot myself, I like that. I like a belt, suspenders, and a safety pin just in case :D

Having said all that, my first project was a narrow tang K-bar blade that I put mortised pakkawood scales on with dime-store super glue and no pins at all. That was in '86 or so and she's pounded many a tent stake and still going strong. But I wouldn't recommend that.
 
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