What is Bolster exact definition?

[nozh2002]

We are making "community knife dictionary" on russion forum and can not come to conclusion what is bolster . Do you know exact definition of it? Does it means guard plates or end nuts too? I think not, but we want to be sure.
Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Rosh]

Form A.G.Russell's Knife Encyclopedia:

Bolsters:
The metal material at the blade end of knife handle; today these are usually of nickel silver or a mild stainless steel. In older less expensive knives they were often made of iron or mild steel.

Link:

http://agrussell.com/faq/index.html

 

[Keith Montgomery]

The purpose of a bolster is to strengthen the area of the handle nearest the blabe, because that is the area that has the most forces working on it.

 

[nozh2002]

I may add to A.G.Russel that brass is used for bolsters too (Buck 110), a lot of knifemakers make mosaic damascus to it...
So nobody heard using bolsters in terms of end nuts, as Helle use?
What difference between bolsters and guard then?
I see also some different uses - www.brisa.com calls guard plates bolsters, but Ragnars calls it guard plates.

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Rosh]

Originally posted by nozh2002
What difference between bolsters and guard then?

A guard must prevent your hand or fingers run over the edge of the blade; also, in some large knives or swords, provide additional protection against a hit directed to your hand/fingers.

There are some knives that provide this function with some element in the blade rather than the bolsters; as in the CRKT M16 series; where the flipper also serves as a guard in the open position. In other styles; like the classic Italian Switchblade; the bolsters double as a guard.