Bolster

[dlc7283]

Hello, new to the forum. I have a friend who I'm trying to repair an old pocket knife for. One scale is missing, pins loose, needs cleaned up. I can do all that, what is giving me some grief is that one of the bolsters is missing. Does anyone have a source to buy bolsters?

[Meridian_Mike]

I don't know everything about your buddy's knife but as far as replacing a bolster.... I don't know that you can just BUY a bolster.
You might have to match the bolster material and make one.
I have seen some people make one or even make a new full set.

Welcome to the forum!

[glennbad]

I have made NS bolsters before. Should be easy, if the bolster isn't too fancy

[herbva]

Just to add to what Mike and Glenn said (which I totally agree with), not only do they come in a amazing variety of shapes, sizes, and metal composition, the position of the hole for the pivot pin has to be absolutely precise. I have replaced a few missing bolsters over the years by cannibalizing one from a "donor" in my parts collection and modifying it to match the non-missing bolster on the other side of the knife. It probably wouldn't be much more work to just buy sheet NS (or steel if the bolsters are steel) of the correct thickness and make a new one from scratch.

[dlc7283]

Thanks for the advice!