Threading Bolsters
Threading Bolsters
I decided to post my technique for this in case someone else wanted to give it a try. There’s probably a couple of different ways to do this, this is how I do it.
I start by clamping the knife handle with bolster into a blade vise to hold it steady. I cut the first groove parallel to the straight edge of the bolster using a jewelers saw. Once the initial groove is cut I use thin strips of duct tape to help keep everything parallel. The tape is just thick enough to allow me to use it as a guide for the thin jewelry saw blade. Once I have all of the grooves laid out and cut deep enough I start filing the grooves a bit wider and deeper. I usually start with some triangular files and then possibly use a few other files depending on what I want the groove to look like; Here’s the bolster with all of the grooves roughly cut in (they are all parallel even though the photo makes them look skewed); I like to clean up the grooves to remove some of the roughness created by using files. I use an old steel knife liner wrapped with 220, then 400 and finally 600 grit papers to clean the grooves; I do a quick preliminary bolster cleanup and then give them a quick trip through the polishing wheel.
Here’s a before and after photo of the bolsters; Hope this was helpful!
Jeff
I start by clamping the knife handle with bolster into a blade vise to hold it steady. I cut the first groove parallel to the straight edge of the bolster using a jewelers saw. Once the initial groove is cut I use thin strips of duct tape to help keep everything parallel. The tape is just thick enough to allow me to use it as a guide for the thin jewelry saw blade. Once I have all of the grooves laid out and cut deep enough I start filing the grooves a bit wider and deeper. I usually start with some triangular files and then possibly use a few other files depending on what I want the groove to look like; Here’s the bolster with all of the grooves roughly cut in (they are all parallel even though the photo makes them look skewed); I like to clean up the grooves to remove some of the roughness created by using files. I use an old steel knife liner wrapped with 220, then 400 and finally 600 grit papers to clean the grooves; I do a quick preliminary bolster cleanup and then give them a quick trip through the polishing wheel.
Here’s a before and after photo of the bolsters; Hope this was helpful!
Jeff
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Re: Threading Bolsters
Great tutorial and thanks for posting this Jeff! I've been wondering for quite some time how you do such a good job at making slotted bolsters. Now I have to find a jeweler's saw. Best regards and happy holidays! Herb
"Better to do something imperfectly, than to do nothing flawlessly." ~ Robert H. Schuller
Herb
Herb
Re: Threading Bolsters
Jeff, you could have been a surgeon. What delicate fine work. Thanks for sharing.
- Meridian_Mike
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Re: Threading Bolsters
Excellent Tutorial Jeff!
I like how you get the lines straight. I am going to try that next time I do a bolster.
I have been just going by "eyeball" to get the lines straight.
AND... I was using a small tri file free hand to get started.
I LIKE your method a lot better than mine....
2 thumbs up my friend!
I like how you get the lines straight. I am going to try that next time I do a bolster.
I have been just going by "eyeball" to get the lines straight.
AND... I was using a small tri file free hand to get started.
I LIKE your method a lot better than mine....
2 thumbs up my friend!
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
- 1967redrider
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Re: Threading Bolsters
Great work, it turned out perfectly! Thanks for sharing your "tricks of the trade" with us.
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
- OLDE CUTLER
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Re: Threading Bolsters
Thanks for the instruction Jeff. I will have to try your method on my next rebuild that includes new bolsters. It really looks great.
"Sometimes even the blind chicken finds corn"
- jerryd6818
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Re: Threading Bolsters
I love threaded bolsters. Good job.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
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Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
Re: Threading Bolsters
That looks like first rate work, Jeff. Good job.
I wish someone would have had those skills when they attempted this "decoration".
I wish someone would have had those skills when they attempted this "decoration".
Joe
Re: Threading Bolsters
Great tutorial Jeff!
I had not thought of using my blade vise like you use it to help you get straight lines. Nice job of thinking outside the box!
It's a huge advantage having this forum to share ideas and methods with one another. Keep up the good work.
I had not thought of using my blade vise like you use it to help you get straight lines. Nice job of thinking outside the box!
It's a huge advantage having this forum to share ideas and methods with one another. Keep up the good work.
Dale
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Please visit my AAPK store: www.allaboutpocketknives.com/orvet
Job 13:15
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“Evil is Powerless If The Good are Unafraid.” – Ronald Reagan
Re: Threading Bolsters
Excellent work and tutorial.
Thanks for posting.
Now I might have to try this.
Thanks for posting.
Now I might have to try this.
Re: Threading Bolsters
Most excellent Jeff! You are a talented cutler indeed.
“There are things in the old Book which I may not be able to explain, but I fully accept it as the infallible word of God, and receive its teachings as inspired by the Holy Spirit.”
Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Re: Threading Bolsters
Impressive work. Thanks for sharing it.