bolster stock

[pmike5869]

Anyone know where I can buy some 1/8" Nickel silver bar stock for making bolsters? Have tried all three sources I know of and they all jump from .090 to .250". I need .125 or thereabouts. Resaw a piece of .250 is a lot of work. This is my first attempt to make liners and would like the solderability of Nickle silver. Also I am unsure (read; don't have a clue) how much to relieve the inside of the bolsters for clearance for the blade tang. I believe it will be minimal, .005 to .010 or so????? I will be using one blade out of a Case trapper. Thx for any advice
Mike

[Hukk]

K&G has it in the catalog on page 8 and Texas Knifemakers Supply has it on page 7 in the catalog. It's listed in the Nickel Silver Sheet at 1/8 inch. What's nice is Texas knife sells both the sheet and rod at 18% Nickel, they commonly come at 16% also, don't know what K&G has. With both being the same its easier for your pin to match the bolster - same alloy.

[pmike5869]

So used to buying everything on line and never thought they might have things in the catalog which are not on the site. Called Texas K.S. and got a catalog and the bolster mtl just as you said. What a great help, thx. Got the liners cut out and drilled for the blade pivot pin and the spring holes. Strange thing tho; noticed that the blade pivot pin now has a roller sleeve around the pin and the holes are smaller in the bolsters than the blade holes. Not a problem as I will simply drill out the bolsters to .169 and use one pin like I always do, just thought; what a great Idea. Must be the reason for the perfect "snap". I guess everyone knew this but me. Live and learn. Plan on using MOP for the accents in the scales but havn't decided what mtl for th scales yet. I have some Afzelia that I used on a pistol and it is simply beautiful but needs a large area to really show off.

[pmike5869]

Just rec'd my 1/8' nickel silver bolster stock and new catalog from TKS. Was surprised to find to find that the price in the catalog was the same for the 6x6 piece I got, as it was for 6x12 ($39.95... new catalog price). Called them this morn and found out the catalog is wrong even tho it is new. The price for 6x12 is now $59.95. I was told that the price of Nickel silver has "gone way up". WOW!

[Hukk]

I buy stuff from ENCO in Reno NV. and the prices for 303 stainless seem fair. Good reason to stay away from nickel.

[Hukk]

Strange thing tho; noticed that the blade pivot pin now has a roller sleeve around the pin and the holes are smaller in the bolsters than the blade holes.

Kind of curious about the "roller sleeve". Is it bronze phosphorous? If so they make bushings for precision pivot pin assemblies. I have some bushings that are .1875 OD and .125 ID to fit over a 1/8 inch pivot pin assembly with 2-56 screws. The .1875 hole is in the blade.
Kinda curious about a roller sleeve.

[Hukk]

Anything like these pictures, the bronze phosphorous part?

The pivot pin and the bushing will both need to be ground down to size. Bushing will be the thickness of the blade + 2 washers .o15 thick and .188 ID so they can slide over the nushing.
Pivot pin also needs to be ground down. Both must be FLAT 90 degrees the length.

They are precision parts and measure exactly what they say they do. The blade rides on the bushing for a real smooth action.


EDIT: Oh yeah, I look through the catalogs (4) and compare prices then I compare a couple online to get the best price.

I also call the order in and I get it quicker.

[4ever3]

Case buts pivot bushings in a couple of thier knives... Makes an amazing difference

[pmike5869]

Don't know if the roller is made out of Phospher Bronze or not but it looks like the one in your pic, with out the screws, just a thru pin. Sure worked great for "snap".