Nickel silver

Post by **tr4252** » Fri Jul 02, 2004 9:14 pm

Hi Bill,

I recently bought some nickel silver, from TKS, and though it is considerably more silvery-looking than brass, there's still a yellowish tint to the color. I used it anyway, as seen in my latest submission. OK, I know what goes into the recipe, and the copper would have to influence the color, but the appearance of the nickel silver on the Leverletto is what got me off on this tangent in the first place, and I'm looking for something that looks, well, silver, not like a light brass. The more copper in the alloy, the more it seems to tarnish too. I once hammered a Canadian nickel down and used it in a rifle inlay about 20+ years ago, and it's still bright; that's the kind of material I'm looking for. Can you recommend an alloy type to look for, and possibly some sources, maybe in .187" thickness?

TomR

Post by **Bill DeShivs** » Fri Jul 02, 2004 11:04 pm

The only things that do not tarnish are nickel, stainless, and gold.
Most NS is 18% nickel, and looks pretty bright, and doesn't tarnish too easily. The 300 series stainless holds up pretty well. Nickel is not malleable, therefore very hard to work.
Bill

Cigarman · Post by **Cigarman** » Sat Jul 03, 2004 11:44 am

I have a few knives with nickel silver bolsters that have been sitting around for a year or so and have noticed that it does yellow a bit with time. A few of my more recent knives have 416 SS bolsters. It's not as soft as Nickel and alot less gummy. Takes a mirror finish real nice. Most of the knife supply houses sell it. I am surprised that more people don't use it on their custom switches.

Bill

Post by **tr4252** » Sat Jul 03, 2004 12:13 pm

Thanks, to you both.

I considered stainless for the next project, but know that it will prove more difficult to machine; the brass and nickel silver that I've been using is pretty easy going stuff. I'm also considering aluminum, a 6000 or 7000 series. Stainless would have the look I'm after though.

Appreciate your advice.

TomR

Post by **Bill DeShivs** » Sat Jul 03, 2004 6:37 pm

Stainless isn't too bad to work, but it is harder than NS.
Bill

mrbigg · Post by **mrbigg** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:19 am

i'm just getting around to using some cast NS bolsters i got from nemo last year - and they look just like brass, until you hit em with some sandpaper...

Post by **tr4252** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 9:09 pm

Thank you all for the comments. Today I ordered some 303 stainless and some 7075 aluminum, enough for 2 knives each, if I don't screw anything up.

Looking at the nickel silver and brass knives side by side, I can see quite a difference, but had been hoping for a purely silver-looking material, so now the s.s. and/or aluminum will be used for the next knife(s).

I know Nifmakr uses 7075 sometimes, he gets a really nice looking finish, so I guess an aluminum stiletto won't look completely stupid if I get it right. The stainless seems like it'll look best, at this point.

thanks again,
TomR