I picked up a Stay-brite silver solder kit to try out. Just wondering how often you guys use it and what you use it for. I was thinking to try it out on hidden/stick tang for attaching threaded rod. I would love to hear your opinions.
is it strong enough for a hidden tang to stainless threaded rod ? I have heard brazing is the ticket apposed to solder but I dont know myself, I know Forge (C.G.) brazes his
I have never tried soldering or brazing a tang, but I have been told silver brazing is the way to go. Not sure silver soldering would be strong enough. I know Wayne Goddard states in his book that either slotted and pinned or brazed are the two main options.
Well I got the wrong one... well not wrong but not right. Lol. The one I got is free flowing at 435 degrees so it is not strong enough for tangs but I will try it out on guards and I'm sure its handy to have in the tool box. I don't mind piening pins in bolsters but do you guys think soldering bolsters is a good or better option on a full tang. Like Myth said, I will try it out on liners for folders when I try to make my first one.
I was leaning the same way Rob. I like to hear other opinions just to make sure I'm not missing something or missing out on other ways.
Having the mechanical bond in addition to solder is better, especially in a knife that you expect to see actual use. Even though I solder the bolsters to the liners in a small folder, I still have the pivot pin to add some mechanical bond. That said, I've yet to have one come loose, even after being dropped a few times. And for a tang, I would definitely go with brazing/welding or even pins.
I've been using jbweld and pins for my fixed blades and am considering silver solder instead of jb weld but there may be some unexpected swearing and knife throwing in my garage for at least the first knife or two. Lol. Speaking of pivot pins. I will not be placing any orders any time soon. What is a good thing to use that can be bought at non knifemaking stores locally. I may check out what hobby shops have for little screws. I've got the itch to make a folder or two with some of the smaller pieces of o1 and d2 I have laying around.
I hear ya. The price for pivot pins is obscene. I prefer the old fashioned way; just use regular pin material and peen the ends. You just need to take your time so you don't over tighten the pivot. If it does get a little stiff, a few drops of machine oil and working the blade open and closed about a hundred times will loosen it up. Some brass or teflon washers help ensure smooth action too.
