All About Pocket Knives

I've seen two different figures for the total number of these made, 73 and 76.

Also, how many different colors are there ? I have #32 brown, and #18 in what the dealer called fushia.

I've also seen orange, purple, green, gray, and 3 shades of blue. Can anyone add to this ?

Might the real collector attraction of the OH's be that they were the first GEC's released with a rear bolster ?

Fran

I would like to help but with that total but I cannot. I do know that at the end of the year a list will be published with all the totals.
Oh and to be correct that is an End cap and not a rear bolster on the trapper.

i believe bolster is correct as well. front or rear. many books back this up.

I've always called that the head bolster, (as in "bare-headed jack") - but as long as we understand each other, it's Ok - right ?

JR

I had never actually seen it referred to as "end cap" until GEC. But I think it may be made out of white gold

Here are some other colors for you to look at...

Ken, That blue - green is really nice but where's the yellow one ?

Fran

perhaps the next time they will make a YELLOW one just for ME ???

jonet143 wrote:i believe bolster is correct as well. front or rear. many books back this up.

I understand all your points, But if you work in a knife factory and you call that a bolster you will be corrected.

Webster's dictionary
Bolster
1 : a long pillow or cushion
2 : a structural part designed to eliminate friction or provide support or bearing

The "End Cap" does not support any blades as the "Bolster" does and that is why I believe it is called such. It is decorative.


Want another one?
Scale
What do you think of?
I will post what we call a scale after some responses from the group.

scales are the brass or steel "liners" the handles are attached to.

what Johnnie said, but most individuals refer to the handle slabs as scales, I refer to them as handles mostly, but alot of people call the handles covers. I'm confused

It's what my wife refuses to step on if I'm in the room.

You Guys know me! I like Pictures.

Guys,

Like everyone else in our group, I've learned something today. That's what this group is all about, ain't it ? I've called that "chunk of metal" on the head end of a jack knife, a "head bolster", for one heckuva long time. ( I think my Uncle Claude taught me that ). Old habits die hard !

Neway, according to the Winchester, Keen Kutter and Remington catalogs I have, it's a cap. Jeez, and I thought I was a careful reader !

Now, I'm ready to venture a guess at "Scale"... how about the crud you grind off, after heat treat ? (If I'm wrong, that's only 2 strikes...)

Thanks, G-tech, sincerely

JR

Thanks guys, for all the esoteric information.

I'm sure I'll never confuse these terms again !

A list of the number of colors made, will be forthcoming at the end of the year.

Might the collector value of the GEC OH's be, not in the color of the covers, but rather that they were the first released with end caps ?

Fran

P.S., If the knife has blades on both ends, they are all bolsters.....Right ?

If you can't believe these guys, who can you believe!!!

Hey Gary...
I want one of those boards. Got a spare??

I guess I might as well join the fun !

SCALE :

An early one, by James Frary, before his association with Landers & Clark

Hey CC,

That's a cool one! I snached it off from eBay a couple of years ago along with this.

Sorry, I don't have an extra. If I did, it would be yours.


gary

i guess as long as the other person knows what you are saying, it does'nt matter. they are still bolsters to me.

Hey Gary,

Those are a couple of very cool pieces!

I've always thought the scales are where the handle material, or covers, are attached to the frame on a folding knife.
However, I've heard many knife people refer to the handle material on a full tang...fixed blade knife...as the handle slabs or handle scales.

So, it seems as though it can be a mite confusing.

Bill

Thanks Lobo, I enjoy them. The little plaque on the exploded knife reads, WINWATER WORKS CO.
I wonder what the story is there? I could have purchased stolen merchandise off from eBay! Well, when they knock on my door, I’ll show them the paperwork.

Ringmaster wrote:Guys,

Like everyone else in our group, I've learned something today. That's what this group is all about, ain't it ? I've called that "chunk of metal" on the head end of a jack knife, a "head bolster", for one heckuva long time. ( I think my Uncle Claude taught me that ). Old habits die hard !

Neway, according to the Winchester, Keen Kutter and Remington catalogs I have, it's a cap. Jeez, and I thought I was a careful reader !

Now, I'm ready to venture a guess at "Scale"... how about the crud you grind off, after heat treat ? (If I'm wrong, that's only 2 strikes...)

Thanks, G-tech, sincerely

JR

If it supports a blade (as in the illuistrations posted) it is a bolster on each side. If it does not support a blade it is an End Cap.
The knife factory up the road from us also calls it an end cap as attested by my Father who worked there in the early 60's.

GECTECHMAN; 10-4 I think we now, all understand the

difference between the two functions. Now tell us the answer to

the "SCALE" question.

MITCH RAPP wrote: Now tell us the answer to

the "SCALE" question.

OK In the illustrations members have posted the liner with the bolsters attached, that is what we call a scale.

If you go to E-bay or knife supply places and purchase a scale you will get handle material.