The trouble with mirrored polished bolsters is...

J

J AlanClay

Joined
Oct 3, 1998
Messages
65
I just got a Masters 110. The mirror bolsters are nice but they dirty and dull very easily. If you look real close, you can also see a small amount of light, small scratches....is this to be expected from "mirror polishing"!
 
J,
Try some metal glo or similar polish. The dirt may just be from the machining process since the same thing happened to me. They should brighten up nice.

The small scratches are always a bother. I wonder if the bolsters are all stored together or are made together and rub up against each other. My 532 Master is the same way.

Regards,

------------------
~Greg~

 
You are right on the touchiness of the polished bolsters.... The very very light surface scratches are probably from the foam tray liners... The bolsters are all polished by hand on Fluff wheels... I noticed on mine that even the velvet case liner seemed to leave a little to if I wasn't careful moving them around.
The more you mirror polish something, the more ANY defect shows... Mirror polish drives us Quality guys nuts....

Jeff

------------------
Jeff "Without data it's just another opinion" Hubbard
JeffH@buckknives.com
www.buckknives.com
Watch for Pete's Custom Knife Shoppe on www.buckknives.com

 
Ps,
I was thinking about it...
After final fluff buff,
the following occurs.... With loading and loading of product at each step in the foam......

Degrease
Inspection
Packing...

Thats alot of movement after final buff....

------------------
Jeff "Without data it's just another opinion" Hubbard
JeffH@buckknives.com
www.buckknives.com
Watch for Pete's Custom Knife Shoppe on www.buckknives.com

 
I made the mistake of carrying my Buck 110 in my pocket...After getting change at the supermarket, I dropped it in the same pocket...Didn't realize my mistake until later on when I needed to cut something, and a dime fell out of my Buck...

...And the coins scratched the Nickel bolsters... :(

I tried SimiChrome, but didn't help...

How much polishing can the bolsters take before the finish is worn off???
 
J AlanClay said:
I just got a Masters 110. The mirror bolsters are nice but they dirty and dull very easily. If you look real close, you can also see a small amount of light, small scratches....is this to be expected from "mirror polishing"!
Click to expand...

What's the story on the Masters 110? Never heard of it.
 
The bolsters on my 709 Pony were not mirror polish but still silver. Over the years I have carried it in my pocket, they have scratched up pretty good due to other things being in there. I like the look since it is an EDC and it gives it character. I don't what the Masters 110 is either so I don't know if it is expensive and one you don't want to scratch. I am reading Wayne Goddard's $50 Knife Shop and he mentions specifically not mirror polishing due to the scratching, etc.
 
chickentrax said:
I made the mistake of carrying my Buck 110 in my pocket...After getting change at the supermarket, I dropped it in the same pocket...Didn't realize my mistake until later on when I needed to cut something, and a dime fell out of my Buck...

...And the coins scratched the Nickel bolsters... :(

I tried SimiChrome, but didn't help...

How much polishing can the bolsters take before the finish is worn off???
Click to expand...

I always thought nickel bolsters we're solid nickel, in which case that shouldn't be a concern. Are you inferring they're nickel plated & not solid nickel?
 
Mick57 said:
I always thought nickel bolsters we're solid nickel, in which case that shouldn't be a concern. Are you inferring they're nickel plated & not solid nickel?
Click to expand...

I am simply going by Buck's own description...

http://www.buckknives.com/catalog/detail/224/238

The most copied knife in the world--the original lockback folding knife. Brass bolsters, liners and rivets. Classic wood handle. Sheath included.

No mention of Nickel at all...But since we both know they are available with Nickel, it stands to reason that they are plated...

Mine actually looks like the liners and bolsters are all one unit...So, they're either two-piece & brazed, or machined from one piece...Whether brass & Nickel plated, or solid Nickel Silver, I don't know...Either way, they still scratch... :(
 
Nickle-silver or brass, they are NOT "Plated" materials. Take a look at the Buck Knives textured by Yellowhorse for example. They remove material and polish the bolsters into beautiful works of art. If they were a cheap, surface-plated product, this would not be possible.

Hope this helps.
 
bbb4u said:
Go to eBay and do a search for Yellowhorse.
Click to expand...

Did that. No active auctions; 2 completed but unable to view (over 30 days?).

But thanks for the heads-up; I'll keep a lookout for him in the future. :thumbup:
 
El Lobo said:
...I hope this is appropriate to post here...
Click to expand...

I would think so...We're still on-topic [bolsters], and neither Joe nor Mr. Buck have commented on the "plating - yes or no?" question...And to whether buffing will remove scratches without ruining the finish...

But looking at those pics (Thanks for the link!) I can't tell whether thay're brass or Nickel, never mind the inlays... :(

My bolsters are definately non-magnetic, but that tells nothing...

BTW: I don't use the supplied leather sheath because it is way too stiff, and not conformed to the knife...I need both hands to pull it out...A Nylon sheath would (to my mind) be preferable...I was considering soaking it and letting it dry overnight with the knife inside...(now *this* is off-topic!)... ;)
 
Since Brass is Copper and Zinc.....and to make Nickel Silver you just add Nickel.....It isn't very expensive, all things compared, so I'm going with solid Nickel Silver.

I've certainly heard of plating with Nickel, or plating with Silver....but not plating with Nickel Silver, as it is already an alloy??

Check around that Yellowhorse site, there are lots of Buck knives used as a base for his work.

Bill
 
The brass and nickle silver bolsters are solid, not plated. They have always been that way. In fact, the older 110's from the 60's will often have pits on the bolsters. This is because we used castings and they came with pits. The process used to make today's bolsters gives us a better part, less pits.
Both materials will scratch when used and they are made to be used.
That leather sheath will conform to the shape of the knife over time. They are made to be tight at first so that they will stretch to the shape of the knife rather than be loose.
I hope this helps,
 
Thank You! very much, Joe!!! :D

It certainly answers my question! I will get busy with the rouge and try to remember not to carry my change with my Buck... ;)

(But I'll still keep on the lookout for a Nylon .45 Auto mag pouch)... :)
 
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