peened vs spun

[dobro59]

Most super old knives seem to have peened pins. Is there a date when most makers went to spun???

[stockman]

1920 should be close.

Harold

[tallguy606]

Someone explain the difference. Thanks.

[Reverand]

Someone explain the difference. Thanks.

I looked for a video tutorial that would explain the difference, but didn't see one.
Peened pins: this is when you use a small domed hammer (like a ball-peen hammer), and gently tap the pins until the outer edge swells and mushrooms outward. Once this is done on both sides of the knife, the pins are tightly wedged into place and cannot move.
This has to be done by hand, and can be a painstaking process to get just right.

Spun pins: this is using a small bit set into a drill press. The bit has a concave tip. With the bit spinning, the press moves down and puts pressure on the pin, which swells the end and mushrooms it outward, just like peening the pin.
The difference is that spinning a pin is much faster, leaves a smooth finish on the pin, and the result spinning process can "sink" the pins slightly, since it can also grind away a small bit of the handle material.

Both processes are essentially the same effect, but peening requires more skill, and spinning is much quicker.
Here are two closeup examples:
Case with a spun pin

Case mini Trapper with spun pin

And here is one that was masterfully peened by Jeffinn. It is as smooth and beautiful as any spun pin, but was peened by hand instead:

Jeffinn peened pin

I hope that this helps!

[woodwalker]

Someone explain the difference. Thanks.

I looked for a video tutorial that would explain the difference, but didn't see one.
Peened pins: this is when you use a small domed hammer (like a ball-peen hammer), and gently tap the pins until the outer edge swells and mushrooms outward. Once this is done on both sides of the knife, the pins are tightly wedged into place and cannot move.
This has to be done by hand, and can be a painstaking process to get just right.

Spun pins: this is using a small bit set into a drill press. The bit has a concave tip. With the bit spinning, the press moves down and puts pressure on the pin, which swells the end and mushrooms it outward, just like peening the pin.
The difference is that spinning a pin is much faster, leaves a smooth finish on the pin, and the result spinning process can "sink" the pins slightly, since it can also grind away a small bit of the handle material.

Both processes are essentially the same effect, but peening requires more skill, and spinning is much quicker.
Here are two closeup examples:
Case with a spun pin
IMG_8803.jpeg

And here is one that was masterfully peened by Jeffinn. It is as smooth and beautiful as any spun pin, but was peened by hand instead:
IMG_8804.jpeg


I hope that this helps!

Great explanation Reverand!! Thank you for taking the time to explain!!

[Quick Steel]

Reverand, thank you for your crystal clear explanation.

[Dan In MI]

Thanks for the most excellent explanation, Reverand!