108 OT with different bolsters

[Meridian_Mike]

I just found this 108 OT out in the bay and fished it in.
Now... are these called "pinched" bolsters?
.
Anyway.... was this a special issue knife or something?
Maybe part of a set?
.
Y'all got any ideas about this guy?

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The liners are not reeded so the only thing special I see is the bolsters.
What say ye?

[jerryd6818]

Someone has modified those bolsters. Here's one just like yours only with the factory bolsters. I bought this in the late 1960's and carried it for at least ten years. There's a name for those bolsters but for the life of me, I can't remember it right now but it's not "pinched".

[Meridian_Mike]

Yep, you could be right Jerry.
I have several of these 108's and none look like this one.
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All I can say is.... if someone just decided to file this into the bolster (both sides) they sure did a nice job of it.

[bladecollectorr]

I'm thinking someone filed the bolsters too. I think they are called "rat-tail" bolsters cause the groove is wide as a rat tail as opposed to "lined bolsters" with a narrow straight-sided groove.

Some folks are surprisingly handy when you give them a file.
Ruple

Kidd

Williams

[OLDE CUTLER]

Yep, you could be right Jerry.
I have several of these 108's and none look like this one.
.
All I can say is.... if someone just decided to file this into the bolster (both sides) they sure did a nice job of it.

I'd say they did too. Would it not be possible if you were not paying attention that one could cut into the Swinden pin recess when doing this?

[KnifeSlinger#81]

That ain't factory.

[Old Folder]

Normally, Pinched Bolsters are on the very tip end of the bolster.
I do not know of the authenticity of your knife, however, if it is not original, someone did a very efficient and good job of "Pinching" the bolsters.

Here are "Pinched" bolsters:

And here are "Rattail" bolsters.

[jerryd6818]

I tend to equate "rat tail" bolsters with old knives. Old like the 19-teens & 1920s.

[Meridian_Mike]

I'd say they did too. Would it not be possible if you were not paying attention that one could cut into the Swinden pin recess when doing this?

Yes! That is a very good point.
If you handed me a swinden pinned bolster knife and ask me to file into like that, I sure would be afraid of ruining the knife.

[Meridian_Mike]

Normally, Pinched Bolsters are on the very tip end of the bolster.
I do not know of the authenticity of your knife, however, if it is not original, someone did a very efficient and good job of "Pinching" the bolsters.

Thanks for that lesson concerning pinched and rat tail bolsters!

[Old Folder]

Normally, Pinched Bolsters are on the very tip end of the bolster.
I do not know of the authenticity of your knife, however, if it is not original, someone did a very efficient and good job of "Pinching" the bolsters.

Thanks for that lesson concerning pinched and rat tail bolsters!

Thank you Mike.
I see that many current production knives still produce "Pinched Bolsters" but I do not remember seeing any with old style "Rat Tail" bolsters.

I could be wrong, but Roger and Kens (peanut740) next Maher&Grosh knife will have "Rat Tail" bolsters on their next production. At least from their latest hint, or should I say "latest tease" it seems to be a Trapper with Rat Tail Bolsters.
They should be available soon.
viewtopic.php?f=109&t=64615#p799698

Their last knives from 2019 "Texas Rangers" listed here have Pinched Bolsters.
https://maherandgrosh.com/

The Smooth Appaloosa Bone "TEXAS RANGER" is my favorite. Only a couple are still available on their above website if you are interested.

[Meridian_Mike]

Thanks for the heads-up Dan!