Which do you prefer, brass or nickel silver bolsters?

David Martin said:
Choosing between nickel silver and brass, is an easy decision. I'd go with nickel because it's stronger and resists some scratching. To me the best frame or bolster material is stainless steel. Like on the Duke. This is very strong and resists scratching better. It polishes, taking a different color than either of these two. DM
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I'll second this. NS looks better longer than brass.
The brass just starts looking bad to quick.
 
Here is a nickel frame 112 my wife procured and gifted it to me with her scrimshaw. It holds a stone washed S30V blade with cow bone scales. My dress knife. DM
 
In my not so expert experience with knives that have brass or nickel silver bolsters I would recommend getting two or more of each, just saying!
 
2TONYB said:
Absolutely. The more it's used the better.
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So I'm not sure I understand why the majority seem to like the nickel over the brass. I was leaning nickel myself but now seem to want the brass because I like the used patina look. Kind of like an old Civil War rifle.
 
sunandsteel said:
So I'm not sure I understand why the majority seem to like the nickel over the brass. I was leaning nickel myself but now seem to want the brass because I like the used patina look. Kind of like an old Civil War rifle.
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Nickel silver will stay "cleaner" looking with less care.

I like both, but I do favor nickel silver. Not because either is so much easier to care for though. I like the contrast the silver has with some handle materials.
 
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David your wife did a great job on the sweet micarta 112! I prefer SS, N/S, then brass, though brass is at the bottom I think no body, but no body does brass better then Buck! I don't shine my brass and prefer the patina look. Between the 110 and 112 I prefer the 112 since in fits my small/med. hand better. They're both great and I started out with a 110 but it was just too heavy and bulky for me, but they will always be classics that no one can ever take away from them!
 
The handles for me determine the bolsters. For example a cherry handle with n/s is one of the best looking knives.
 
Either..
I disdain a patina look. To me it looks dirty and unkempt. Plus, brass is softer and will dent or scratch easier. For a collector, ok I'll take it in it's original manufacturing, not that I like it but it's original. DM
 
David Martin said:
Either..
I disdain a patina look. To me it looks dirty and unkempt. Plus, brass is softer and will dent or scratch easier. For a collector, ok I'll take it in it's original manufacturing, not that I like it but it's original. DM
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I don't think you have a choice with certain bucks thought right? The 112 is pretty hard to find in nickel silver and a non-custom 110 is brass only unless someone can correct me.
 
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