I used 416 Stainless Steel Bar and 416 Stainless Steel Rod for bolsters on a fixed blade for the first time. I was surprised to see that the rod did not blend in as has been my experience with Nickle silver. The 416 rod is a yellowish color and the bolster material silver. Could this be something I did or have others experienced the same thing? Could I have gotten rod other than 416 SS material?



http://www.floridafred.com/butt%20croc%20mont.JPG

Is it possible that the pins are Nickel Silver? NS has a yellowish tint to it, but is very close in color to stainless. I have had this happen before. Don't know what caused it or what the cure is, other than to use hidden pins in the bolsters.

Still, it's a great looking knife.

Yep, looks like nickel silver pins. I put 303 pins in a 416-bolstered knife once (once!). I ended up grinding down and driving them out. With your knife it may not work out so badly given the mosaic pins in the handle. Good looking knife overall!

Yup! It's nickle Silver. I had ordered 6 416 rods and I just checked and there is still 6 in the bundle I so carefully left in the rubber band so I would not mix them up. I guess out of habit I just grabbed a NS out of the bin. Well, maybe I'll start a trend.

Thanks for the kind comments:

1084 steel
Micarta handles
416 Stainless Steel bolster with Nickle Silver pins :D 0] :D

If it makes you feel better, I've kinda always liked the look of dissimilar pins in a bolster. At least you didn't do like I do, and just drill the holes willy-nilly. I drill them using the WAG method (wild a$$ed guess). That way, the bolsters will only go on one way. If I ever use dissimilar pins, I'd have to be more careful.

Still looks good, and since you used the mosaic pin, the NS pins look like they were put there on purpose.

Didn't I say that. Yes, the nickle silver pins were placed in the Stainless Steel bolsters on purpose uh to match the mosaic pins.
:D
That's why this knife costs extra.:smokin

ya know, I think I like it. :D

Hey Guys.... What works for me is, get you some 308 Welding rod and use that for your pins in Stainless. You will not be able to see them!!!! Mark. PS..... Pop's Knife Supply 706-678-5408 has them. Cut off the numbers on the end of the rod first.

I'd vote that you don't change them, they look like they belong. Just get some 416 rod/pins and label them so that you don't mix them up. Or use only 416 and no N.S. and that will solve the problem.

We all make little mistakes like this, the knife looks fine, if you ask me.

Hell, every "mistake" is an opportunity to do some brain drain exercises. Here's one I came up with, for what its worth.

Around each "nickel silver" pin, drill a series of 6 or 8 1/16inch holes on the drill press. insert 1/16inch BRASS pins !! Brass is soft enough that you could probably finish the bolsters by hand, without marring anything else too bad. Voila - a rosette !! On a background of stainless you'd have a central core of nickel silver with "petals" of golden-coloured brass for contrast.

Howzat ? I should drink less coffee...

Cheers.

Having come to terms with my error I am satisfied with the way this knife turned out. However, I like your idea Jason and plan to use it.

If you notice my logo and the way I stylize the dot over the "I" your idea could be used to incorporate that design into the handle area or bolster using the pins in a similar manner. Who knows, I may use this design as a sort of trademark to ID my work. Of course taking into account the extended thread on signing ones own work I have to figure out a way to write underneath of it "Idea originated by Jason Cutter".

http://www.floridafred.com/pup%20blade%20%20b%20008.JPG :D :D :D

If you do it, its yours.

I have to come up with stuff like that ALL THE TIME. Thats because of all the mistakes I keep making ... !!

Cheers.

http://www.floridafred.com/013%20blade.JPG

Can't believe I put a NS pin in a 416 SS bolster again. I even tried the pin design logo on this knife suggested by Jason.

http://www.floridafred.com/013%20c.JPG

The three pins and thong hole in the handle are suppose to look like the stylized dot over the "I" in Floridafred. Well if I've gotta explain it it's probably not effective. Anyway, I'm starting to like the contrasting pin. :smokin :smokin :smokin

6 inches overall
01 Steel
Desert Bocote Handles
416 SS Bolster
Nickle Silver pins and thong hole tube:D

Nice! :smokin