Nickel silver vs. Sterling silver

Joss · May 21, 2003

All,

I'd like to understand why it is that even on high end knives, you often see Ni. Silver used for fittings rather than Sterling Silver. Is there any specific reason? I understand of course that Sterling is much more expensive than NS, but on some knives, it wouldn't be such a difference. Also, Sterling probably would have to be cast rather than worked via stock removal, but even that doesn't seem to be a good reason. Am I missing something?

george tichbourne · May 21, 2003

Nickle silver is cheaper and harder than Sterling Silver but sterling is made of silver for the most part while nickle silver has none.

Sterling can be worked by stock removal, cold forging or casting.

The two reasons it is not used more are cost and the fact that sterling tends to tarnish.

Dan Gray · May 21, 2003

you mite call nickel silver a poor man's silver but
it's getting pretty pricey as of late.

also called German silver
As silver goes.
I believe Sterling has some copper in it
more so than reg silver if any in it..

Joe Renner · May 21, 2003

Originally posted by Graymaker
you mite call nickel silver a poor man's silver but
it's getting pretty pricey as of late.
also called German silver

German silver tends to be a combination of things like zinc, copper, nickel and other stuff, though theres a lot of stuff being called "german silver". Anything the color of silver will be called silver, containing the element or not.

Joe

Wild Rose · May 21, 2003

Sterling silver is generally 92.5% silver 7.5% copper. It will tarnish if not cared for, but during the 19th century Tiffany, amongst others, made some very high end knife handles and gun grips from it. Also I use it a lot on my western gun rigs and sheaths and it wears just fine.

Nickel/German Silver is generally an alloy of 65% copper,18% nickel, and 17% zinc.

Price of the last sheet Sterling I bought was about $6.00 an ounce (6" x 1" x 20ga(.032") = 1 ounce). So it isn't that cost prohibitive depending on what you are making.

John Andrews · May 21, 2003

The sterling sounds more expensive than pure(99.99)silver. I used to use pure 1oz. ingots for handle inlays. It ran about an average of 4.00 per oz., not that long ago, based on market price of silver.

george tichbourne · May 22, 2003

I am finding that a large part of my silver costs are related to rolling costs from ingot. The larger the purchase I make the lower the cost per ounce. Where I can I purchase form ready stock inventory because it is a bit cheaper.

Silver works well and you can do a lot with it without having to resort to casting.

Darren Ellis · May 22, 2003

Hi Joss,

Where is that avatar from, it looks familiar, but I just can't place it. Thanks!

-Darren

Wild Rose · May 22, 2003

It ran about an average of 4.00 per oz., not that long ago, based on market price of silver.

Yep Sterling was running around $3.59 a couple of months ago, But being a precious metal it varies up and down quite a bit. Lesson learned: should have bought more two months ago!

Dan Gray · May 22, 2003

chuck
take a look I just put a spot pricing index up for the precious medals
on the knife making site.
http://www.knivesby.com/knifemaking.html
let it load it's at the top.

Wild Rose · May 22, 2003

Thanks Dan! I just saw that and when the email came notifying that you just posted. I figured that's what it was about.
BTW I get my sterling, fine silver, and nickel from Indain Jewelry Supply, www.ijsinc.com. Good people and no minimum orders.

Joss · May 22, 2003

Originally posted by Darren Ellis
Hi Joss,

Where is that avatar from, it looks familiar, but I just can't place it. Thanks!

-Darren

hEpaXyrSgfHwRHNw66EuvmCbvvA+fwDv5q1suTNGvA=

Darren Ellis · May 22, 2003

THAT'S IT!!

Thanks!

-Darren

m l williams · May 22, 2003

Nickle Silver Vs. Silver...the availability of stock sizes that work for knives usually gives N/S the advantage. The last N/S I bought cost me more than sterling. For me they seem to tarnish at about the same rate. Fine silver looks good for a lot longer. mw

Bruce Evans · May 22, 2003

I always thought that the sterling was softer than the nickel silver.Thus easier to bend when used as a guard.I do know that the antiques used more N/S on there working type Bowies and Sterling on there real show pieces.even though some of the show pieces were N/S and sometimes Brass with a gold or silver plate.
Bruce

george tichbourne · May 23, 2003

Sterling as cast is relatively soft but it work hardens very quickly if bent or formed, almost spring like but returns to the soft condition when annealed.

A lot of the silver handled knives from Sheffield were stamped to shape thus were harder than if just cast resulting in good wear characteristics. I once started to pound on a tang to draw it out a bit and after a half dozen strokes with a three pound hammer couldn't move it at all, my technique has improved since then as the result of a silversmithing course or three.