Single or Double bolsters and things along that line...

[Hammer67]

I think the bare end looks better if it is wider than the bolstered end, and rounded.

Agreed.

 

[Doug Add]

I like to see the cover material.

Which is precisely why I tend to prefer a single bolster's aesthetic (if appropriate to the frame).

 

[Gary W. Graley]

... I tend to like my bolsters capable of being shined up. Some of my Cases in particular (seems to happen to the smaller bolsters) get so scratched up as to be unshineable. Looks like the GECs are carbon steel? I like the idea of the 410 ss I believe the custom makers use for that reason. Satin bolsters are probably nice can't think of any ive had.

Taken from an older post, but this is what I end up doing to my bolsters once they've gotten some pocket time and are scratched up:

So, as I did with the other one, I used some 600 grit sand paper and applied a nice brushed finished to the bolsters, the way I do it is to cut a piece about thumb width and about 3" long or so, I grip the paper in my right hand and with the right hand I pull the paper STRAIGHT from one end of the bolster to the other, all the while pushing down on the sand paper with my left thumb, I keep doing this until I get the finish I like. Here are some images taken of the knife;

Here is a Before of the bolster,

same bolster, knife flipped end for end to photograph it better;

I was worried about the serial numbered end, but that worked out ok, probably won't take a lot more to make it fade away but the brushed finish looks good and also hides further scratches too, so you don't have to do this as often as you would if it were polished.

and here's a shot of the other side of the larger bolster end

Things look better when the scratches are all going the same way
G2

 

[Doug Add]

That is nice work, Gary!

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Thanks, and, it doesn't really take very long at all to turn a nasty bolster into a neater looking one, pretty quick and easy to do.
G2

 

[Stelth]

For the most part I like 2 bolsters....the symmetry is appealing to me. However, there are a few patterns where bareheads look best, like on a barlow.

 

[thedaver8]

i definitely prefer two bolsters. i do like other single-bolster designs, of course, but two is more fun. and i LOVE pinched bolsters. it really adds a touch of class to a folder, imo. while we're on preferences, i almost always prefer polished blades to satin finishes, too.

 

[338375]

I'll answer the way I was taught by my professors all those years ago. "It depends." Too many different patterns to give a definitive answer. A barehead stockman would look off, and a sodbuster with bolsters and caps is plain weird. Gotta take it on a case by case basis.

However, I am biased towards single blade slipjoints. In that specific scenario I prefer bare head knives.

- Christian

I agree with Christian. While it is not a true indicator, I think knives with bolsters only on the pivot end, tend to remind me of a knife that may have been around many years ago.
I have really noticed in the last year or so, I am drawn more to knives that are this way.

Case in point. Another member has a few GEC's for sale. Two of them are the same pattern, with very nice wood, but one has bolsters on both ends.
As I look at the pictures more, I find that the knife with bolsters on both ends, just looks to busy, and it takes away from the beauty of the wood..

YMMV of course, as there is no right or wrong...

 

[Mike Robuck]

Nice work Gary.

I like fluted, pinched, grooved, double, single, and tipped, but am otherwise not too picky. I agree that it depends on the knife. I always thought the Bokers with the stepped bolsters were a little over the top.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Thanks Mike, some vintage looking fellas there too! nice
G2

 

[Will Power]

An Equal End is going to look mighty queer as Barehead, cos it wouldn't be equal-end then! Ditto Stockman types.

However, Swell End knives look better as Barehead, those with wood or stag handles especially. Many European regional single blades are Barehead, and they look much better for it. And weigh less. Just look at that mythical stag on Mike R's Barehead Sheffield? knife, a knife of exceptional beauty.

I'm interested in Senator type knives that have very small tip bolsters, (the second knife in Mike R's post) you don't see this on current knives and that's a pity. GEC moles take note.....

 

[dannyp]

Things look better when the scratches are all going the same way
G2

It also makes the knife easier to photograph with less reflective surfaces.

There are always exceptions, but my general rule of thumb is that symmetrical frames and knives with pivots at both ends look better with bolsters on each end. Jacks with an asymmetric shape look better with only one bolster and as much cover material as possible. I also like shadow patterns, but they usually look best to me with synthetic covers.

I can tolerate a slight pinch on square bolstered knives, but dislike a large amount of material removed. I can't stand it at all on round bolsters. Just about any other common bolster treatment such as threaded, dovetailed, rat tailed, or slanted is fine with me.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

I prefer shadow patterns.

 

[r8shell]

I'm interested in Senator type knives that have very small tip bolsters, (the second knife in Mike R's post) you don't see this on current knives and that's a pity. GEC moles take note.....

Now that's the one that looks odd to me. Like, either give me a bolster, or don't, but you've gotta commit

 

[Gary W. Graley]

It also makes the knife easier to photograph with less reflective surfaces. ...

Hah, good point there! that sure does help with that too! My friend Tim Wright says that the direction of the scratch pattern can be important, especially on knives that will ride in sheaths, if they are going cross wise, then the vertical scratches from the sheath will mar that finish up, so you should keep that in mind when finishing the guards and bolsters
G2

 

[pmew]

Now that's the one that looks odd to me. Like, either give me a bolster, or don't, but you've gotta commit

I agree, no half measures. Personally I prefer bolsters at each end, although I carry shadows and singles. Like today, peanut and barlow.

It is the unpivoted bolster which I adore, take today's peanut, for me this is like a jewel. I love the solid polished feel and the combination of colours created by the layers.

A personal preference which I don't expect to be shared, I enjoy the wide variety of tastes and opinions expressed by the forum and I have been enjoying reading the thread.

Lovely.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

I agree with this.
Don't mean to hi-jack Gary's thread, but it begs the question,why is a bare butt called a bare head?

Good question, found this on The Great Eastern web site
Terminology

From that I take it the end opposite the pivot is or was called the Cap, and with that in mind, a cap goes on a head, so with no bolster there, it would then be a bare head...

G2

 

[mqqn]

Hi Gary -

I definitely prefer double bolsters, although there are some knives that, like you, I prefer the clean barehead look.

I had not thought about it before, but I have tended in my collection to have barehead single blade knives.

Here is an older Robeson with double bolsters

best

mqqn

 

[avoidspam]

wow^^!

great thread Gary, I'm with you on how easy they are to maintain. I've just spent 20 minutes cleaning up my #56 (in a desperate attempt to stave off my growing desire for a Pony Jack!). I'd dropped it and dinged both bolsters. A little work with some wet and dry followed by metal polish on a strop and all is good as new



I'm with a lot of other people in feeling that it depends on the pattern but am starting to think that if i'm picking a knife as a user and it has bone scales I'll be more tempted by double bolsters if they're available on that pattern. Damaged wood can be remedied but cracked bone is there to stay!

Sam

 

[Mike Robuck]

I'm interested in Senator type knives that have very small tip bolsters, (the second knife in Mike R's post) you don't see this on current knives and that's a pity. GEC moles take note.....

I think Ken Erickson did tipped bolsters on a custom knife, but other than that I don't recall seeing any recent knives with them. The problem with the vintage knives with tipped bolsters is that a lot of them have cracks around the pin since the pins aren't covered by bolsters. Kind of the opposite of barlows supposedly being stronger knives because of the extended bolsters.

Here's another one with tipped bolsters:

I like how the pins where inside of the flutes on older knives.

Gary, it is interesting to me that you think of how your sheaths will scratch a bolster as the knife goes in and out. That's attention to detail!