Spear-Carriers!

[DaveHS]

What’s the difference between Rat tail and Fluted?

My understanding is Rat-tail are the wide, usually single smooth groove around the bolster. Fluted are multiple thinner grooves. Considered a little fancier than rat tail perhaps? Feel free to correct me if I have this wrong!

 

[Will Power]

@Honest_Thomas Really great work Thomas- I'm sending you a bundle of knives for work Maybe not...given import taxes back and forth from Britain to EU.....

I agree with Dave's definition, Rat-Tail is a broader deeper groove, done I suppose in the past with a so-called Rat-tailed file-round? According to @Mike Robuck Tony Bose was of the opinion that RTs went over the pin on a bolster whereas Flutes are above it. Depends on pin location I suppose?

Thanks, Will

 

[Will Power]

I'd say these were fluted or lined bolsters (pinched too) as the line is not broad or deep such as a Rat-Tail. Would look better with the 'Rat look' mind

Workhorse 79

 

[Hoffmajo89]

I do know that “rat tail” bolsters are named so because they’re accomplished with a rat tail file. Makes you wonder what kind of flute they’re using to file in the smaller decoration…

 

[Ace Rimmer]

My understanding is Rat-tail are the wide, usually single smooth groove around the bolster. Fluted are multiple thinner grooves. Considered a little fancier than rat tail perhaps? Feel free to correct me if I have this wrong!

When there are multiple grooves, would that be called "threaded"?

 

[DaveHS]

When there are multiple grooves, would that be called "threaded"?

I believe so, if they are thin grooves cut very close together!

 

[jmh33]

 

[Honest_Thomas]

Couple of recent Spears that accompanied me around Bordeaux the other week.

I do know that “rat tail” bolsters are named so because they’re accomplished with a rat tail file. Makes you wonder what kind of flute they’re using to file in the smaller decoration…

This was my thoughts exactly! In my mind, a single wide groove would be a “Rattail” as it’s done with the rat tail file Multiple rat tail filed grooves closely stacked then become “Fluted”
And thinner lines are just “Lined” but again once you start applying more of them in close proximity they become “Threaded”

Now all that makes sense to me….. Thoughts??

 

[Honest_Thomas]

I'd say these were fluted or lined bolsters (pinched too) as the line is not broad or deep such as a Rat-Tail. Would look better with the 'Rat look' mind

Workhorse 79

I’d class these as “Lined” & “Pinched” Will

 

[Travman]

 

[Travman]