Where to find bolsters?

[CubistHamster]

HELP!

I've been working on a handle for an 18" Ganga Ram I bought a couple of months ago. It has a rat-tail tang, and I intend to put a stacked-leather washer handle on it.

I don't have a huge selection of tools, so I had planned to make the bolster out of wood, since it's pretty easy to work with. However, I've had 4 pieces split on me while I was fitting them to the tang. (Wasn't crappy wood either, 2 pieces were oak, and two were osage orange.) Maybe I just need to go slower, but I'm kind of fed up with wood at this point.

Anyway, I've pretty much given up on using wood, and I would like to use a more traditional style metal bolster. I've spent the better part of 2 hours looking online, and all I can find is guards designed for much smaller fixed blades.

Anybody have any idea where I could buy a Khukri bolster? Or have any suggestions for commonly available items that could be turned into a bolster with a minimum of metalworking equipment?

The measurements of the tang just below the shoulder are:
Length: 15/16"
Width at Spine: 6/16"
Width at Front: 3/16"

Thanks much.

 

[Berkley]

HELP!
Anybody have any suggestions for commonly available items that could be turned into a bolster with a minimum of metalworking equipment?

Here's a link to an article on how to make a bolster (the author calls it a "ferrule"). Hope it's helpful to you.

 

[CubistHamster]

Looks like that might be the ticket.Thanks for the info.

 

[b.c.molin]

Hope it's helpful to you.

For a non-DIY bloke, I found the 'how to' most informative and it adds to my understanding of the Khukuri and to metal working in general.:thumbup:

Many Thanks.

 

[CubistHamster]

Update: I ended up cutting a bolster out of a stainless steel condiment cup. (available in 4-packs for $ 0.99 at Wal-Mart) The fit isn't perfect, but it seems solid, and this Khuk is intended as a user, not a looker, so I don't much care.

I'll try and post some pictures later.

 

[Yvsa]

I used some copper tubing that I flattened slightly on a couple of kardas I made for my full sized Foxy Folly. Only trouble is they're open on the bottom. I solved that problem by leaving about 1/32" or so overlap at the bottom and filled that area with fine sawdust and epoxy when I was close to being done with them.
The nice thing about the sawdust and epoxy is that it completely seals the area between the handle and the blade!:thumbup:

I don't know how well you'll be able to see these but at least you can see what I mean about flattening the copper tubing.

 

[CubistHamster]

Here's a few pictures of my partially finished handle, with a bolster cut from a wallyworld condiment cup.

BTW, I've been referring to that piece as a bolster, but it's also been described as a ferrule. Anybody know which is correct, and what the difference is?

 

[b.c.molin]

I'd guess Ferrule is the British term for what American's call a bolster.

So both would be correct depending upon your country of origin.

 

[kronckew]

A bolster can refer to:

* a type of long pillow
* A bolster is also the point where the blade of a knife and handle meet, often designed to provide balance or a safer grip. See the diagram at Kitchen knife.
* A bolster is also the structure within a truck (bogie) or on a car or locomotive frame that supports the weight of the vehicle.

fer·rule (frl)
n.
1. A metal ring or cap placed around a pole or shaft for reinforcement or to prevent splitting.
2. A bushing used to secure a pipe joint.

normally 'bolster' is used here for the brass 'ferrule' used to cover the blade/handle junction as on some knives they may be integrally forged along with the blade rather than as a seperate item, it's a more generic term. the bolsters on many khukuries is not there for structural reinforcement and some do not have one.

the copper bolsters shown on the auxilliary knives above are also ferrules as they also are there to prevent splitting. i think of a ferrule more along the lines of those on hiking sticks, ice axes, etc. where they are there mostly to reinforce rather than to cover the join.

either word thus could be used, tho for clarity here i'd guess most people would use bolster.

 

[b.c.molin]

the bolsters on many khukuries is not there for structural reinforcement and some do not have one.

Interesting point; I was looking at the Yeti Hunter yesterday and was wondering about its lack of a bolster and wondering if it was as strong as those models that have them.

Also doesn't the bolster makes for a firmer 'grip' between the Khuk and sheaf, lessening the chance of losing it?

 

[kronckew]

the ones referred to as 'habaki bolsters' have the extended protrusion that enters the scabbard throat where it is then held by friction with the scabbard. my kobra has this type. my other non-HI's do not. that style is not popular and we always see complaints here & pleas not to use them. some of the kamis were getting a bit lazy and not finishing the area hidden by that type bolster as well as they should have.

 

[Yvsa]

A bolster can refer to:

* a type of long pillow
* A bolster is also the point where the blade of a knife and handle meet, often designed to provide balance or a safer grip. See the diagram at Kitchen knife.
* A bolster is also the structure within a truck (bogie) or on a car or locomotive frame that supports the weight of the vehicle.

fer·rule (frl)
n.
1. A metal ring or cap placed around a pole or shaft for reinforcement or to prevent splitting.
2. A bushing used to secure a pipe joint.

normally 'bolster' is used here for the brass 'ferrule' used to cover the blade/handle junction as on some knives they may be integrally forged along with the blade rather than as a seperate item, it's a more generic term. the bolsters on many khukuries is not there for structural reinforcement and some do not have one.

the copper bolsters shown on the auxilliary knives above are also ferrules as they also are there to prevent splitting. i think of a ferrule more along the lines of those on hiking sticks, ice axes, etc. where they are there mostly to reinforce rather than to cover the join.

either word thus could be used, tho for clarity here i'd guess most people would use bolster.

Yup!

the ones referred to as 'habaki bolsters' have the extended protrusion that enters the scabbard throat where it is then held by friction with the scabbard. my kobra has this type. my other non-HI's do not. that style is not popular and we always see complaints here & pleas not to use them. some of the kamis were getting a bit lazy and not finishing the area hidden by that type bolster as well as they should have.

Yup, between the so-called habaki bolsters and the what I personally think is too much cho creep, I think it distracts from the Khukuri's inherent beauty.

 

[gravertom]

Great work both of you!

To me, ferrules are open ended, bolsters meet the blade steel at the end opposite the handle material. I also think that bolsters typically are more "solid", whereas ferrules are thinner, more like a ring of sheet metal, so to speak.

Not technical perhaps, but those definitions work for me.

The "habaki Bolster" to me would be a "closed end modified ferrule"

The M43 has what looks like a bolster to me.

take care,

Tom

ps love that copper look Yvsa!

 

[gravertom]

BTW, if you wanted to make a "Bolster", you could have gotten a large piece of brass rod. I think it can be had large enough. Drill a hole for your tang, file a notch to let the blade snug into it, then put it on ahead of your leather washers. Shape it all together, polish.

Sorry to be late to the game!

Tom