All About Pocket Knives

I figure this is a dumb question, but I'm asking anyway.

I just put new handles on a small, single bade folder. The previous handles were between plastic, snap-on bolsters which had already fallen off.

I replaced the handles with full length wood scales, new brass pins, etc. No bolsters.

What function do the bolsters serve? Why are they there, instead on having full length scales?

they add strength to the blade pivot.

jonet143 wrote:they add strength to the blade pivot.

Ah. Makes sense.

So, why do some manufacturers use them, and others do not? Is it just a design thing. where bolsters would be the better function, but no bolsters goes with their aesthetics?