SS Bolsters Question

[Chasen30]

I'm getting ready to make my first knife. I'll be using Tim McCreight's guide for the paring knife he starts with. Probably going to go with o1 steel because that is what he used. Anyways, he uses brass for the bolster but I can't find 1/8" brass sheet for a decent price. Seems like SS will be cheaper. Don't want to use nickel silver (why don't they call it nickel brass?) because my girlfriend (whom I'll be giving it to) has a nickel allergy. The issue I'm considering is how to get pins for the handle that match? Going to use brass rivets in the bolster. As for the type of SS, Aldo has 416 so I figure I'll use that. I'd prefer 303 but Aldo doesn't have any. I'm thinking bloodwood for the scales. It'll be a gorgeous handle on a blade with beautifully uneven bevels as it's my first, but I figure I might as well make it pretty. Anyways, any solutions for pins to match the steel? (Without needing fancy equipment) Or sourcing brass pins at 1/4" at a decent price? Or hell, sourcing 260 brass at a decent price (i.e. 20ish bucks)?

 

[John Katt]

Here you will find 385 brass in flat stock and pin stock at a good price, stainless too

http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?id=809&step=2&top_cat=79

 

[Maelstrom78]

Just get pin stock that's the same as your bolster material. All of the knife making supply place would carry each.

1/8 for bolsters seems thin to me. I'm newer but I use 1/4 for mine.