Replies to This Discussion

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Andy Larrison on April 4, 2023 at 7:06

Wish I could help on that one.  I get my smaller brass at Hobby Lobby.  I usually use Jantz or Pops Knife Supply for my other stuff.  Might try USA knifemakers or Texas knifemakers?

Permalink Reply by Mike Botts on April 4, 2023 at 11:02

Thanks Andy.  I think I have tried USA and Texas.  I'll check out Pops.  So Am I to understand that you haven't found a need for the really small pins?  I have found that even on the larger knives, the shields are usually attached with 1/32" pins.  I've been having to drill them out to 1/16" when I put them on my new handles.  I don't mind that so much, but now I'm doing some little 3" pen knives, and I would really prefer to keep the handle pins nice and small.  I know that small NS stock is out there somewhere.  I just need to find a source.

Permalink Reply by Kevin D on April 4, 2023 at 11:24

Hey Mike,

I am asking out of ignorance...  Anything I have made has been bigger fixed blade stuff, so I have not had the need for real small stuff.

How much of a difference is there between small diameter pin stock and wire?

I have seen weld wire (for TIG - is fairly rigid for its diameter) available in a number of small diameters in a number of materials.  Mostly what I have seen is stainless steel, but I am certain that is available is other alloys.  Not sure about nickel-silver though.

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Andy Larrison on April 4, 2023 at 13:43

I think I usually am using 3/64" brass.  I've not used any small n/s pin stock yet.  I believe when I've re-pinned a shield in i tried very, very hard to use the pins that were in it.  Like you say, it's gotta be out there somewhere, but...where?

Mike Botts said:

Thanks Andy.  I think I have tried USA and Texas.  I'll check out Pops.  So Am I to understand that you haven't found a need for the really small pins?  I have found that even on the larger knives, the shields are usually attached with 1/32" pins.  I've been having to drill them out to 1/16" when I put them on my new handles.  I don't mind that so much, but now I'm doing some little 3" pen knives, and I would really prefer to keep the handle pins nice and small.  I know that small NS stock is out there somewhere.  I just need to find a source.

Permalink Reply by Mike Botts on April 4, 2023 at 23:31

Good idea Kevin.  Tomorrow I'll start looking at weld wire.

Kevin D said:

Hey Mike,

I am asking out of ignorance...  Anything I have made has been bigger fixed blade stuff, so I have not had the need for real small stuff.

How much of a difference is there between small diameter pin stock and wire?

I have seen weld wire (for TIG - is fairly rigid for its diameter) available in a number of small diameters in a number of materials.  Mostly what I have seen is stainless steel, but I am certain that is available is other alloys.  Not sure about nickel-silver though.