Thoughts on Exposed Pivot Pins

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Dean51

Joined
Aug 30, 2014
Messages
922
Maybe I just like function before style but I would like to see more knives built like these.
Especially on knives with a driver or cap lifter/driver combo, like the beer scout and TL-29's.
My beer scout has opened a bottle or three but it'll never get used as a driver. I just don't trust it not to loosen up.
To quote the general forum I don't "hard use" a knife but it is nice to be able to tighten up a pivot with just a couple taps with a small hammer.
So am I the only one who actually likes exposed pivot pins.
MTVeIYS.jpg
 
From a purely technical viewpoint I agree with You.
It's one way to deal with bladeplay.
Flusch pins are better looking, but there's beauty also in the functionality of the visible pins.

Regards
Mikael
 
Hi Dean, I've got the exact same Barlow 2017 made. It came with much blade wobble which I fixed by squeezing the bolster together in a vise, then after that, peining the pivot. Domed pivot pins make a lot of sense on a hard use knife like that one.
Knives with flush ground pivot pins can also be tightened the same way, but may look a little beat up afterwards unless you grind and polish the bolsters. Or you can leave the formerly flush pin sticking out a bit like you see I did. It ain't a thing!

Edited to add: I like both types of pins;)
Michael
 

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The barlow had no play new but the allegany jack had a small amount of wobble. It took just a few taps to tighten it up.
 
I like them a lot. I have a Colonial 2205 military scout knife which I carry often, and having domed rivets (as well as fairly thick scales) has allowed it to take a lot more twisting force than I would ever attempt with flush pins.

When I was a young guy I had a pin pull through on a Camillus Barlow, through applying too much side force. This caused me to look for steel bolsters and domed rivets afterward. I also grabbed a Queen #69 Barlow last year and have found it has given great service under bad conditions.

Both of these are good strong work knives. I value this more than shiny finish or fancy handles.
 
I like purposely exposed pins a lot more than flush pins that become visible later. It it nice to be able to tighten up a pivot without marring the bolsters!
 
I did not think a lot of people would jump in and say, yes give me more exposed pins. :) I did appreciate the opinions.
In the spring when the shop is a bit warmer this knife will get exposed pins.
p8xwsN7.jpg
 
Dean51 said:
I did not think a lot of people would jump in and say, yes give me more exposed pins. :) I did appreciate the opinions.
In the spring when the shop is a bit warmer this knife will get exposed pins.
p8xwsN7.jpg
Click to expand...
Hey, why not use hell out of that screwdriver in the meantime. You can then see how the flush pins compare to domed ones.
Michael
 
I don't care for them myself. To me, it makes the knife look unfinished. Kind of like the repair I did on my first knife when I was seven years old. More of a problem for me has been those lumps creating hot spots in use. I bought a couple of the Queen Workhorse series knives a few years back and ended up filing the pins flush to stop them from rubbing blisters on my fingers.
 
Although definitely stronger, they're just not my cup of tea. Different strokes . . .
 
Yes, you can bang them or squeeze them to get a tight blade so they're a maintenance plus. But, I don't care for the look of them at all, too crude except on very basic no frills knives. They don't feel too nice if you're really coon fingering a knife either...;)
 
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