Bolsters on Damascus

[Alex Cole]

I am currently getting ready to work on my 1st of 2 damascus blades and I have some questions about bolsters. The damascus is pre made blade blanks and I cannot drill any holes because the blades are pre-hardened. I am planning on using solid silver for the bolsters on the smaller knife but am having a hard time trying to figure out how I will attach them. I am thinking about soldering the bolsters to the sides of the tang but am not sure if the solder will stick to the damascus. Do you have any sudgestions as to what at this point I can do to get the solid silver attached to the tang. I am pretty new to all of this and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Alex Cole

[Don Cowles]

Alex, don't try to solder the bolsters. You won't be happy with the resoults.

Best thing to do is invest in a carbide drill bit of the right size for the silver pin material you will use, and pin the bolsters to the knife.

[Osprey Guy]

Hey Alex-

Good to hear that you're still at it! I'm sure with your natural talent these will turn out great!

Although relatively new to knifemaking, I have had some experience drilling into pre-made, tempered blades (I checked this out thoroughly myself before attempting).

Don's advice is (of course) right on about the carbide bits. I'd just like to add that you need to make certain to run your drill at high speed, and keep the work cool by using a good cutting fluid. Don't apply too much pressure as the carbide bits are prone to shattering if mistreated,...let the drill do the work.

Good luck...(you'll do fine...)

Dennis

Yeah Baby!

[Alex Cole]

Thanks for the quick replys guys. Here is my next question. I am going to get some silver pins also.....but how can I get the pins to where they don't show up. Should I peen them and then hope when I finish sand and buff that they don't leave a ring or what...I'm trying to keep a very clean finish on the bolsters. Thanks again guys. Your always a help.

Alex

[Don Cowles]

Make sure that the pins are clean, insert them in the holes with about 1 pin diameter protruding on each side, and peen them with a 3 lb. machinist's hammer (or, better, squeeze them in a milling machine vise).

The protruding part should spread out well beyond the diameter of the hole, and be lying pretty flat after that. Then file them flush with the bolster surface, and finish the bolsters off. Pins should not show at all.

[Alex Cole]

Thanks again.....I am getting the silver tonight and will be starting with the shaping this wkend. I will let you know how it all turns out.


Thanks again

[paul harm]

if you set the depth of your drill press ( so you won't go all the way through ), go one drill size bigger. drill down in about .060. this way, when you peen the pin bigger you won't see a ring. the pin will expand evenly and not on a 45 degree angle. try it on a test piece. paul