Off Topic What is your Nickle Silver Bolsters ?

[Luftig]

So your bolsters are Nickel Silver and you may wander what that is. Nickel Silver is actually a brass alloys made of ~60% copper, ~20% nickel, and ~20% zinc, this alloy is known for its tarnish resistant, durability, as well as very subtle golden hue which gives it that silver like warmth . Now you know, very sorry to those hoping for silver. Another popular alloy mislabeled sometimes as Nickel Silver is cupronickel (up to 90% Copper and the balance made of Nickle (lacking the less expensive zinc) which is tougher and widely used in marine products - even when ~90% copper interestingly it retains the silver like color) Silver is not as durable as Zinc, nor as corrosion resistant, so Nickel Silver Bolsters are a great metal choice of strength, durability, and appearance which explains why it is so widely adopted in the slip joint world. So would you want silver in your knife ? Most likely not. It is prone to tarnish, softer, more expensive, and is a white it is a better conductor than Copper, Nickel, or Zinc, it is not a feature knife makers are generally looking for. Silver is more reflective, but tarnishes so easily, that is short lived. Other metal options for bolsters simply are trade offs, Titanium is hard to work with and has that gray look, Stainless Steel is also harder to work and contrary to the name, can stain or rust and is not as easily polished. Brass bolsters, tarnish much like silver and if they have enough copper will develop a greenish or simply dark oxide. Some people like the reactive alloys, but they are in the minority. To each his own. Cheers.

 

[smudge58]

So your bolsters are Nickel Silver . and you may wander what that is. Nickel Silver is actually a brass alloys made of ~60% copper, ~20% nickel, and ~20% zinc, this alloy is known for its tarnish resistant, durability, as well as very subtle golden hue which gives it that silver like warmth . Now you know, very sorry to those hoping for silver. Another popular alloy mislabeled sometimes as Nickel Silver is cupronickel (up to 90% Copper and the balance made of Nickle (lacking the less expensive zinc) which is tougher and widely used in marine products - even when ~90% copper interestingly it retains the silver like color) Silver is not as durable as Zinc, nor as corrosion resistant, so Nickel Silver Bolsters are a great metal choice of strength, durability, and appearance which explains why it is so widely adopted in the slip joint world. So would you want silver in your knife ? Most likely not. It is prone to tarnish, softer, more expensive, and is a white it is a better conductor than Copper, Nickel, or Zinc, it is not a feature knife makers are generally looking for. Silver is more reflective, but tarnishes so easily, that is short lived. Other metal options for bolsters simply are trade offs, Titanium is hard to work with and has that gray look, Stainless Steel is also harder to work and contrary to the name, can is most affordable and workable alloys stain or rust and are not as easily polished. Brass bolsters, tarnish much like silver and if they have enough copper will develop a greenish or simply dark oxide. Some people like the reactive alloys, but they are in the minority. To each his own. Cheers.

Thanks for the info Luftig! Back in the "old days" the Sheffield cutlers called it "German Silver"..... but that term is no longer uses as no silver is used in that alloy... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_silver

 

[afishhunter]

Copper and the balance made of Nickle (lacking the less expensive zinc) which is tougher and widely used in marine products - even when ~90% copper interestingly it retains the silver like color) Silver is not as durable as Zinc, nor as corrosion resistant,

If I am reading this correctly, you're saying Zink is widely used in the marine products, for durability and corrosion resistance?

Not sure why you say "Silver is not as durable as Zink ..." There is no silver in nickel silver/German Silver.

i really hate to burst your bubble ... nickel silver is copper or brass alloyed with nickel, also known as "white brass".

Zink is widely used in the marine industry. However, corrosion resistance has nothing to do with it.
Zink is used as sacrificial diodes to protect shafts, outdrives, steel or aluminum hulls, and other metal components from electrolysis damage, if the shore power cord gets partially submerged, or a nearby vessel/boat has a problem with it's electrical system.
It doesn't require a large boat/yacht/ship to cause electrolysis damage, by the way. A bass boat or pontoon boat with a bad ground will suffice.
More evidence Zink is not very corrosion resistant:
Take a look at plated bicycle baskets that have been used for a year or more.
Covered in rust they are. Those baskets are Zink plated, because it costs less than chrome plating.
Zink plated/coated pipe is also known for developing rust.

Copper is realatively corrosion resistant.
In the days of sail, and wood hulls, it was common practice to put a thin sheathing of copper on the hull from 10 to 12 inches above the waterline to the bottom of the keel. The rudder(s) were also sheathed in copper.
Copper is toxic to things like barnacles, slimes, worms, and other things that would take up residence on a hull.
(Today's bottom paint contains either copper or pesticides and herbicides to control marine growth on the hull. The bottom paint is designed to wear off after a year or so, unlike the copper sheathing which can last decades, even with thin 1/32 inch sheets of copper are used to cover the bottom.)

Yes, copper, brass, bronze, "nickel silver"/"German Silver" and even pewter can and do tarnish.
So does silver, gold, aluminum, titanium, and a lot of other metals.
So what? That tarnish protects the metal under from corrosion, same as a patina protects a carbon steel blade from rust and corrosion.

 

[unwisefool]

If I am reading this correctly, you're saying Zink is widely used in the marine products, for durability and corrosion resistance?

Not sure why you say "Silver is not as durable as Zink ..." There is no silver in nickel silver/German Silver.

i really hate to burst your bubble ... nickel silver is copper or brass alloyed with nickel, also known as "white brass".

Zink is widely used in the marine industry. However, corrosion resistance has nothing to do with it.
Zink is used as sacrificial diodes to protect shafts, outdrives, steel or aluminum hulls, and other metal components from electrolysis damage, if the shore power cord gets partially submerged, or a nearby vessel/boat has a problem with it's electrical system.
It doesn't require a large boat/yacht/ship to cause electrolysis damage, by the way. A bass boat or pontoon boat with a bad ground will suffice.
More evidence Zink is not very corrosion resistant:
Take a look at plated bicycle baskets that have been used for a year or more.
Covered in rust they are. Those baskets are Zink plated, because it costs less than chrome plating.
Zink plated/coated pipe is also known for developing rust.

Copper is realatively corrosion resistant.
In the days of sail, and wood hulls, it was common practice to put a thin sheathing of copper on the hull from 10 to 12 inches above the waterline to the bottom of the keel. The rudder(s) were also sheathed in copper.
Copper is toxic to things like barnacles, slimes, worms, and other things that would take up residence on a hull.
(Today's bottom paint contains either copper or pesticides and herbicides to control marine growth on the hull. The bottom paint is designed to wear off after a year or so, unlike the copper sheathing which can last decades, even with thin 1/32 inch sheets of copper are used to cover the bottom.)

Yes, copper, brass, bronze, "nickel silver"/"German Silver" and even pewter can and do tarnish.
So does silver, gold, aluminum, titanium, and a lot of other metals.
So what? That tarnish protects the metal under from corrosion, same as a patina protects a carbon steel blade from rust and corrosion.

zinC

 

[ea42]

If I am reading this correctly, you're saying Zink is widely used in the marine products, for durability and corrosion resistance?

Not sure why you say "Silver is not as durable as Zink ..." There is no silver in nickel silver/German Silver.

i really hate to burst your bubble ... nickel silver is copper or brass alloyed with nickel, also known as "white brass".

Zink is widely used in the marine industry. However, corrosion resistance has nothing to do with it.
Zink is used as sacrificial diodes to protect shafts, outdrives, steel or aluminum hulls, and other metal components from electrolysis damage, if the shore power cord gets partially submerged, or a nearby vessel/boat has a problem with it's electrical system.
It doesn't require a large boat/yacht/ship to cause electrolysis damage, by the way. A bass boat or pontoon boat with a bad ground will suffice.
More evidence Zink is not very corrosion resistant:
Take a look at plated bicycle baskets that have been used for a year or more.
Covered in rust they are. Those baskets are Zink plated, because it costs less than chrome plating.
Zink plated/coated pipe is also known for developing rust.

Copper is realatively corrosion resistant.
In the days of sail, and wood hulls, it was common practice to put a thin sheathing of copper on the hull from 10 to 12 inches above the waterline to the bottom of the keel. The rudder(s) were also sheathed in copper.
Copper is toxic to things like barnacles, slimes, worms, and other things that would take up residence on a hull.
(Today's bottom paint contains either copper or pesticides and herbicides to control marine growth on the hull. The bottom paint is designed to wear off after a year or so, unlike the copper sheathing which can last decades, even with thin 1/32 inch sheets of copper are used to cover the bottom.)

Yes, copper, brass, bronze, "nickel silver"/"German Silver" and even pewter can and do tarnish.
So does silver, gold, aluminum, titanium, and a lot of other metals.
So what? That tarnish protects the metal under from corrosion, same as a patina protects a carbon steel blade from rust and corrosion.

The OP is correct, nickel silver is 18% nickel, 62% copper, and 20% zinc. There's no brass in nickel silver. Copper and zinc do make brass but the ratios of those metals are different (roughly 2 to 1).

I think he was also saying cupronickel, not zinc, is widely used in marine products if I read that correctly.

Eric

 

[tiguy7]

Rolex’s 904L stainless steel has corrosion resistance similar to that of precious metals. 320 stainless steel (Carpenter 20) is used to line the chambers in which Sulfuric acid is produced.
Zinc plating or Galvanizing, when applied over steel, is a sacrificial coat that corrodes in preference to Iron. Gold plating is a barrier coat that can protect Iron if it is continuous and not breached.
Silver resists most corrosives but is attacked by Sulfur, which turns it black. Before the wide use of fossil fuel, a Silver crown was as good as a Gold one unless the king lived near a volcano.

 

[Luftig]

The OP is correct, nickel silver is 18% nickel, 62% copper, and 20% zinc. There's no brass in nickel silver. Copper and zinc do make brass but the ratios of those metals are different (roughly 2 to 1).

I think he was also saying cupronickel, not zinc, is widely used in marine products if I read that correctly.

Eric

Sorry if my writing was confusing, but you understood what I was saying, cupronickel, is widely used in marine products. Also for the record, I am not saying an oxide is not protective, just that they are not my taste on most metals including silver or steel.

 

[dsutton24]

Silver was used for fruit knives and various technical knives before the days of stainless steel.

 

[Luftig]

No bubble burst, I do not t

If I am reading this correctly, you're saying Zink is widely used in the marine products, for durability and corrosion resistance?

Not sure why you say "Silver is not as durable as Zink ..." There is no silver in nickel silver/German Silver.

i really hate to burst your bubble ... nickel silver is copper or brass alloyed with nickel, also known as "white brass".

Zink is widely used in the marine industry. However, corrosion resistance has nothing to do with it.
Zink is used as sacrificial diodes to protect shafts, outdrives, steel or aluminum hulls, and other metal components from electrolysis damage, if the shore power cord gets partially submerged, or a nearby vessel/boat has a problem with it's electrical system.
It doesn't require a large boat/yacht/ship to cause electrolysis damage, by the way. A bass boat or pontoon boat with a bad ground will suffice.
More evidence Zink is not very corrosion resistant:
Take a look at plated bicycle baskets that have been used for a year or more.
Covered in rust they are. Those baskets are Zink plated, because it costs less than chrome plating.
Zink plated/coated pipe is also known for developing rust.

Copper is realatively corrosion resistant.
In the days of sail, and wood hulls, it was common practice to put a thin sheathing of copper on the hull from 10 to 12 inches above the waterline to the bottom of the keel. The rudder(s) were also sheathed in copper.
Copper is toxic to things like barnacles, slimes, worms, and other things that would take up residence on a hull.
(Today's bottom paint contains either copper or pesticides and herbicides to control marine growth on the hull. The bottom paint is designed to wear off after a year or so, unlike the copper sheathing which can last decades, even with thin 1/32 inch sheets of copper are used to cover the bottom.)

Yes, copper, brass, bronze, "nickel silver"/"German Silver" and even pewter can and do tarnish.
So does silver, gold, aluminum, titanium, and a lot of other metals.
So what? That tarnish protects the metal under from corrosion, same as a patina protects a carbon steel blade from rust and corrosion.

No bubble burst....I never said zinc is not used in the marine industry, it has many useful properties. I did not speak to zinc's corrosion resistance, just that Silver is not as durable as it gets tarnished more quickly. I did say tarnish is not my taste, you may like it, like I said, no bubble burst. As far as Copper, I guess relative is just that, relative. All the old copper roofing I have seen around that has a few years on it is green. Had those roofs been made of iron, most undoubtedly would have rust through, so I agree that copper has relative corrosion resistance in that comparison. An oxide layer can protect the metal underneath, the aesthetics are in the eye of the beholder.

 

[tiguy7]

The difference between Copper corrosion and Iron corrosion is that Iron Oxide sloughs the coating and Copper salts do not.

 

[Camillus]

As I read this I am cleaning the rust off of some nickel plated handplanes which is always a tedious task!