what is 'white metal' ?

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Pinkeye

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Jul 7, 2013
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So ..what is the white metal in the 'white metal fitting'; the bolsters and such. I know the blades are 5160 spring steel, but what is the white metal. And ..while we're on the subject ...what exactly is 'white metal' itself and what specie of metal does it refer too?

i looked at wikipedia.

The white metals are any of several light-colored alloys used as a base for plated silverware, ornaments or novelties, as well as any of several lead-based or tin-based alloys used for things like bearings, jewellery, miniature figures, fusible plugs, some medals and metal type.

but if i were i kukri maker in nepal, from what would i source such material?
 
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It is commonly called German silver in jewelry & gun maker circles. I have used it for 40 years to make inlays and furniture for muzzle loading rifles and pistols. It is available world wide, slightly higher cost than brass, harder and more durable than brass, but when it tarnishes badly can look like dirty brass. Usually retains it's silver luster very well and is a good, durable metal. It can be purchased from most established metal supply purveyors. You need some?
 
My presumption is that it's not a pure silver (as pure silvers are incredibly malleable) which would make it a better choice where stresses or impacts may be a concern.
 
I prefer the white metal vs brass myself. I also prefer wood over bone for shock absorption.
 
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I prefer copper silver because I like silver to tarnish black in the long term-- I know this is what HI used in the late 90s and early 2000s as it is what is on my kothimoda and ycs-- sterling silver is the copper mix right?
 
"German silver" or "nickel silver" contains no elemental silver. Dont buy it to put it in the bank for precious metal. Just looks like silver. It is more durable than elemental silver. Sure looks good on Khukri sheaths and holds up well. I suppose it has its advantages over silver for example when it comes to retaining gem stones and such. Especially with a bit of laha.
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If you are wanting to now where HI gets it, ask Mrs. Martino. But that being said, be warned, most manufacturers will not divulge their sources in order to keep expenses low as possible. It is considered privileged information, thus private.
 
"White Metal" is a form of nickel silver/white brass.
Where HI sources such is, as bookie stated, private information.

Nickel silver, also known as German silver, paktong, new silver or alpacca (or alpaca), is a copper alloy with nickel and often zinc. The usual formulation is 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc.[1] In fact, all modern, commercially important nickel silvers (such as those standardized under ASTM B122) contain significant amounts of zinc, and are sometimes considered a subset of brass.[2]

Nickel silver is named for its silvery appearance, but contains no elemental silver unless plated.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_silver
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ndoghouse said:
"German silver" or "nickel silver" contains no elemental silver. Dont buy it to put it in the bank for precious metal. Just looks like silver. It is more durable than elemental silver. Sure looks good on Khukri sheaths and holds up well. I suppose it has its advantages over silver for example when it comes to retaining gem stones and such. Especially with a bit of laha.
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oo fancy
 
i prefer real bronze (copper+tin alloy) harder and more durable than brass (copper & zinx alloy) or german silver, more corrosion resistant than most as well.
 
Bookie said:
If you are wanting to now where HI gets it, ask Mrs. Martino. But that being said, be warned, most manufacturers will not divulge their sources in order to keep expenses low as possible. It is considered privileged information, thus private.
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ahh, too bad. I know where to find a leaf springs around where i live. I've always thought about taking up amateur knife smithing and was trying to get an idea of how to source free(ish) material for practice before i sink cash into a new hobby.

..maybe old brass doorknobs
 
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is there any way to request real silver rather than german silver or is it just logistically unrealistic for HI?

@pinkeye you are in the right place to be an amateur knife smith, check out bookie and jw bensinger, who are probably master smiths by what they produce( though I have no way to gauge accurately as I am no expert, but they both make fantastic stuff)-- if anybody can give you some tips on how to get started they can; and ndog has several cool posts about getting started smithing ( or at least sharing his own experiences doing odd jobs with knives )
 
Pinkeye: All I can say is don't worry about getting your ducks in a row before you get started cause you may never get started. Just take it manageable step by step and take your time. You will figure out what you need along the way. You'll also find out what you don't need that you thought you'd need. Im not calling myself a knife maker yet cause I haven't even finished my first one. I didn't make the blade on this one so next one gets my own blade.
Gehazi: The Kothimodas HI sells:
http://yhst-7333098713883.stores.yahoo.net/koflmo.html
are advertised as 0.999% pure elemental silver. In the market it is commonly spoken as four 9's for example 0.9999% (mint silver-highest grade available) elemental silver. Three nines and a five (0.9995%), or even three nines (0.999%) etc. This also applies to other metals such as lead for soldering electronics.
 
Just a fun fact:
German Silver in Germany is called Neusilber (new silver)

If you order an Amerikaner (American) at the bakery
well its a bakery so yeah kind of obvious it's not meat. :-p
 
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