Thoughts on Dovetailed bolsters?

Jon Brand

Jon Brand

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May 28, 2007
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Dovetailed or not, What do you prefer? Would a maker with the skill do this, or is it really just a matter of taste? I've seen many knives with dovetailed bolsters that just don't seem to fit and have ivory that doesn't meet the inside of the bolster all the way. Does this usually mean the handle material shifted/shrunk or that the maker didn't finish the knife correctly? I love a nice dovetailed bolster but not when it sticks out into the air. I like knives that have both kinds of fit, as it really just depends on the knife. Any thoughts?
 
Dovetailed bolsters are one way of dealing with handle material that tends to shrink or grow depending on humidity...ivory or stag for instance.

I hate stabilizing an excelllent piece of mastodon or stag because it changes the colour slightly.

They also help retain scales on special knives that have very thin tangs that flex during use like Kosher slaughtering knives.
 
I always looked at dovetailed bolsters as another way for a maker to show his skills. The added benefit is that it locks in the handle material. Don Lozier is an example of a maker that does this.

Win
 
whenever I see a knife without dove tailing, I automatically think that the maker is bypassing an important step. Maybe it's not so important, but my perception is that it is. I think it's one of the hall marks of a knowledgeable expert.
 
I feel that it is a point of interest on the knife and is a sign of skill... But also perhaps the smith simply was asked not to do it... or does not have a maching to do it with...

Mokelock
 
Some knife styles make using dovetails impossible such as slotted guards.

Other features such as incurved bolsters but not dovetailed retain the front end of the handle scales equally well as dovetailed designs.

Double dovetails are a real sign of a master machinist especially if the insert is fitted properly...works best with super stable material like MOP.

Where I find humidity changes can be a real problem is in very thin handle scales like folders. These can lose moisture from both sides because they are not epoxied in place.
 
Win Heger said:
I always looked at dovetailed bolsters as another way for a maker to show his skills. The added benefit is that it locks in the handle material. Don Lozier is an example of a maker that does this.

Win
Click to expand...

Same here. Very nice when well done. :thumbup:
 
I would not make a folder or straight knife with bolsters without dovetailing. Unless you are a brand new maker I think it is a must. It really isn't any more of a challenge for the maker anyway.

Plus if you don't dovetail and the material pulls back at all it is horribly obvious.
 
I used to do dovetailed bolsters years ago but don't care for the look now. Also if the handle material shrinks with dovetails, it leaves a really sharp edge.

Nothing wrong with dovetails, just not my thing.
 
I used to prefer it, then I had one or two folders with a handle material that changed and now it just looks really weird. I have to say though, these knives did not have the closest fit and I am not surprised. I like how they look on many folders now but I think on a thinner folder it wouldn't look right and there wouldn't be much room to dovetail at all. Its funny how I get used to the look of a particular makers knives and their way seems to be right for their knives.
 
Obviously for you Don it works not dovetailing. Your work speaks for itself. I do agree with the fact that you can end up with a sharp edge if the material shrinks. I guess either way if your material shrinks it looks bad. I do agree on really thin folders like Dons and Cliffs that dovetailing can look funny.
 
Josh, you make cool knives. I like em!

I have never noticed the dovetails on your knives, so they do not stand out or detract from the piece. To me, this means that you are doing them right.

One way is no better than the other, if it's done right and works with the knife.
 
Its harder to do but if the handle material stands proud from the bolsters you get the best of all worlds.
 
Don, that cat picture is the cutest. That an Avocado? That cat looks fluent in the marital arts. You need to make him a mini blade.
 
I like dovetailed bolsters, but, I found that I prefer the look of a steeper angle on the face of the handle material-say, greater than 60 degrees, as opposed to 45 degrees. Achieves the same goal of trapping the handle material with less risk of the dreaded sharp edge.
 
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