nickel/silver bolsters

[Omega]

all the n/s bolsters ive seen lack a real nice shine can this be achieved with n/s or no? Thx


Bill



Sweeet:evil

[Ray Rogers]

Nickel-silver can be brought to a mirror finish but it will always have some 'color' to it. It never quite looks like a clear mirror finish on steel because it isn't. N/S can tarnish also, so after a while the mirror finish will become more matte looking which is probably why most guys give it a dull finish in the first place....

[ron p. nott]

Hi Bill .. I think nickle silver is a cheap way to go it doesnt have the durability that some of s.s. steals have .Iif you are going to build a quility knife why cheapen it with nickle silver ,, 416 and 410 are the best materials to use .. I also dont like to engrave it... It a lot more trouble than steel .. ron p. nott

[Jason Cutter]

I strongly recommend that anyone after a silvery metal finish, USE 416SS !! After using brass, NS, 303SS and other materials, 416SS comes out tops; It sands easily, grinds easy and finishes to a beautiful polish (or satin) if you wish. It also doesn't have the gummy, wear resistant feel when working it as does 303 and NS, which contain nickel in them.

I disagree with one point in that many places stock 416 at the same or similar price as NS. The problem is that it has become so popular that often there's none in stock. NS's look has a traditional appeal to it and it goes especialyl well with damascus but as a whole, 416 wins on every point. Mild steel can be blued up more easily though.

Also, there's nothing wrong with using any scrap pieces of 440C you have lying around for a guard - the high carbon gets it a bit gummy also when ground, but I reckon its easier than NS. Cheers. Jason.