Rat Tail Bolsters

KBA

KBA

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So I was reading these threads on bolsters for an upcoming project.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1227331-Do-Bolsters-Make-the-Knife

I am considering Rat Tail bolsters. Think post 24 of this thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/844710-I-m-a-sucker-for-fluted-bolsters!/page2

I’ve never had bolsters such as this and wonder how it feels. Do you all who have rat tail bolsters notice a difference in use. I doubt I’ll grip the knife in such a way to notice that often, but I wanted to hear a few thoughts on it from those who have them.

Any other links on the topic would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
Rat Tail bolsters are very common on older Sheffield knives. They do look good on certain knives. I don't think they have any additional function compared to more ordinary bolsters.
 
Thanks Smiling for the post.

I know this can be subjective depending on each person, but I am more interested in how the bolsters feel in use. Is it even noticeable? Or, does the gap hinder a grip at all, if choking up on the handle is needed?

I could always try to find a cheaper knife myself to try, just thought I would ask first.
 
Rat Tail bolsters look good on many knives - much better than knives with narrow ringed bolsters in most cases. However, the size of a knife should be taken into consideration. I don't think a Rat Tail bolster would look good on GEC's new #83 (short and narrow) but would look just fine on say a GEC #73.

Look at the Sheffield in my post in your first link since passed on to "Pertinux" Sarah. It is a short knife but it is a wide knife and carries the Rat Tail bolster just fine. The Rat Tail bolster on Bastid's knife looks fine because there is only one Rat Tail flute on each bolster and the bolsters carry them well; however, if two Rat Tail flutes would have been executed on each bolster on that knife it would have been too much - in my opinion.

If your project is a custom knife, talk it over with the maker. If your project is to put a Rat Tail on an existing knife you have you will need a sharp file, a steady hand, and the ability to file in a straight line. Good luck with whatever your plans are.

Oh, forgot to add. They have never interfered with the use of any knife I have ever owned with them. About the only way they might contribute the handling of a knife would be if you had to "choke down" on the way you hold the knife.

This is a long thread but Rat Tail bolsters are discussed often in it. Perhaps you could do a search withing the thread for Rat Tail bolsters to get the info you want.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/468281-Bose-Knives
 
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I like Rat-tail bolsters on some patterns, they can look great, but I've noticed any improved ergonomics because of them.
 
I agree with Jack and Ed. They look great on some knives and stupid on others. I've learned to trust what the maker suggests on stuff like this, they seem to have a better idea of what will look the best.
 
I like rat-tail bolsters, but I agree, they are purely an aesthetic detail. I haven't seen any functional advantage to them.

I don't much care for the narrow lined bolsters (what is the proper term for that?). Not a deal breaker, but if given the choice I'll take plain or rattail bolsters.

Here's a pic of a knife with rattail bolsters next to one with the narrow lines.

 
It's one of the definitive features of the Lanny's Clip, my favorite pattern. The Case/Bose I have has a prominent rat tail. It doesn't hinder grip at all, if anything it provides a nice tactile transition between the bolster and the bone that lets you know exactly where your grip is solely by feel. I'm a fan.

 
kamagong said:
I like rat-tail bolsters, but I agree, they are purely an aesthetic detail. I haven't seen any functional advantage to them.

I don't much care for the narrow lined bolsters (what is the proper term for that?). Not a deal breaker, but if given the choice I'll take plain or rattail bolsters.

Here's a pic of a knife with rattail bolsters next to one with the narrow lines.
Click to expand...

You may be looking for the term "Ringed Bolster" but Lord knows there are multiple terms for various aspects in the world of knife collecting.
 
bleh said:
It's one of the definitive features of the Lanny's Clip, my favorite pattern. The Case/Bose I have has a prominent rat tail. It doesn't hinder grip at all, if anything it provides a nice tactile transition between the bolster and the bone that lets you know exactly where your grip is solely by feel. I'm a fan.

Click to expand...

Thank you Sean. I was curious if anyone could actually tell a difference in the grip, positive or negative.

Christian - from what I have read in the first thread, the lined bolsters are considered, fluted. I always thought it was the opposite until I started reading on them.

Ed - Thank you good sir on the post. I agree with your opinions. I wish I had the time, tools, and know how to try this myself. It'll be done by more skilled individual. Thank you also for letting me know that they have not interfered. I didn't think they would but thought someone may think that they do.

Appreciate all the post on this folks. :thumbup:
 
Bleh nailed it. They are useful for determining grip position but that is about it from a using perspective.

Looks on the other hand are more variable to my eye. I strongly prefer them on a larger, bare head pattern and think they are more appropriate with steel bolsters than stainless or n/s. Just look better with patina IMO.
 
KBA said:
Thanks Smiling for the post.

I know this can be subjective depending on each person, but I am more interested in how the bolsters feel in use. Is it even noticeable? Or, does the gap hinder a grip at all, if choking up on the handle is needed?

I could always try to find a cheaper knife myself to try, just thought I would ask first.
Click to expand...

Brett,
What's would you mind letting us know what pattern you have in mind? Maybe one of us has a photo to share or even one to let you take a test drive.
 
LastRodeo said:
Brett,
What's would you mind letting us know what pattern you have in mind? Maybe one of us has a photo to share or even one to let you take a test drive.
Click to expand...

I'm not 100% certain if I will do this, but I am considering having the 81 Northfield Abilene Stockman modified. Ed brought a good point about the size. The 81 has a good size, not a thin as the 38, but then again not as wide as the 73 I think. We'll see...
 
For me there's also no difference in ergonomics.
I'm not sure how I'd like them on rounded bolsters (are there any examples?), but I love them on square bolsters.

Groove_9_small.jpg


(And it's not rocket science to do them yourself :).
 
Look more effective on Barehead knives in my opinion, certainly a major aesthetic feature and probably quite hard to manufacture. I'd lap up more of these if they were more available. Mainly on older or custom knives (although the Forum Knife 13 sported them).

Threaded bolster is the word I use fore lined/ringed bolster.

Thinking aloud: a GEC 15 with Rat-Tail and Blonde Horn would be sensational, make that a Wharncliffe option too:D
 
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