What bolster materials do you prefer?

[jakemex]

I love the looks of the copper bolsters on those dog head Kabars. I like the few knives I've seen with brass too. Nickel silver is beautiful too. Carbon steel appears to be a favorite on this forum. I bought a Zulu spear Barlow from AG Russell about 2 years ago, I think, with 316ss bolsters and liners. This material is bar-none my favorite!

Since then I have bought more of his slip joints with these bolsters, man do they polish up nice on my leather strop loaded with white polishing compound! Sweet!

 

[arizonaranchman]

Nickel-Silver is my favorite by far

 

[navihawk]

Nickel Silver is my favorite, with age appropriate iron being close second. My old Samuel Barlow had integral iron bolster/liners, a major wow factor.

 

[jakemex]

Nickel Silver is my favorite, with age appropriate iron being close second. My old Samuel Barlow had integral iron bolster/liners, a major wow factor.

Integral bolsters and liners are a unique construction!

 

[jakemex]

dbl post.

 

[mykel m]

A good nickel silver is my first choice for bolsters with carbon steel second.
Copper & brass bolsters don't appeal to me, but I do like brass liners and both as pins in fixed blades.

 

[black mamba]

I wouldn't have thought so until I got a couple, but the brass bolsters and shields on these Craftsman Eagle stockmen look great against the black sawcut delrin.

 

[addylo]

Shiny.

 

[MercyfulfateXX]

nickel silver is my fave. and imo the best.

 

[jakemex]

Black Mamba, Do you know who makes those for Craftsman?

 

[black mamba]

Most likely it was Schrade, jakemex. These are from the late '70s to the early '80s.

 

[Jack Black]

Nickel silver or carbon steel, I prefer one or the other depending on the knife. I don't have any with copper bolsters. Brass, I don't mind, but it isn't my preference.

 

[Student762]

I own a beautiful charlow courtesy of Chief but I am unsure as to the bolster material on this, info appreciated. I also love the look of brass and copper, i think i depends on the knife as to the bolster material that looks the best.

 

[mykel m]

I wouldn't have thought so until I got a couple, but the brass bolsters and shields on these Craftsman Eagle stockmen look great against the black sawcut delrin.

Hmm,I gotta admit, I do like the look of the brass with the black delrin.

My 95023 has the black sawcut delrin and brass eagle shield, but NS bolsters.

 

[Will Power]

Nickel-silver, steel, stainless. But no brass or copper please - they reek.......

 

[Pipeman]

Iron or carbon steel by far.

Regards

Robin

 

[Markesharp]

Iron or carbon steel by far.

Regards

Robin

I like Iron and carbon steel too, but the production knives made today are nickel silver for the most part. The Charlows are an exception tho.

 

[Brian.Evans]

I own a beautiful charlow courtesy of Chief but I am unsure as to the bolster material on this, info appreciated.

Mild steel, unless I'm mistaken. There have been mucho threads about it, but tapatalk's search function stinks.

 

[Markesharp]

Mild steel, unless I'm mistaken. There have been mucho threads about it, but tapatalk's search function stinks.

You are correct Brian. The stamping press GEC uses wouldn't handle the heavier steels.

 

[RobbW]

Love my carbon steel Boys Knife! My Canal Street Kabar Coppersmith Barlow is lovely, too.