Thread: How to: Washerless Pins

I wanted to get a different look from my pins so I've been experimenting with using no washers and simply pinning the rod into the scales. This is actually how many peens on knife handles are done and I'm happy to report I've manipulated it for razors.

Tools:
Drill
1/16th drill bit
#6/0 Tapered Reamer

1/16th in rod stock
Sandpaper

1) Drill the 1/16th in hole in the scales just like you normally would.
2) Use the tapered reamer to expand the diameter of the hole on the outside of the scale.
3) Cut rod to length. You'll want about 1/16th extra length than what the length of the final pin will be. File flat after cutting so you get a good work surface.
4) Peen just like a normal pin but be careful to not hit the pin too hard or miss or you can risk cracking the scales.
5) Sand or file the pin down flush and it should look something like this.

Nice scales!?!I do like the flat peen on the pins though!

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Nice scales!?!

HAhaha I really didn't feel like cracking a pair of scales until I had this all figured out. That's why the "scales" on the blade are just bloodwood 1/8th in scale stock (which if you look closely I had split with my first attempt at figuring this out).

Cool! I often wondered about how they did pins like that. I thought people just epoxied them. Only thing is if you ever need to take the razor out of the scales or do something like that, the pin won't be so easy to remove huh? Might have to just snap the scales off? Either way, it's a small price to pay especially when you won't need to do it anytime soon after rescaling I'm sure.

to remove them you can simply drill them out with the 1/16th drill bit you used for the pilot hole. This will weaken it enough to pop the pin out. But you are right they aren't as easy to remove as the washer ones where you can just dremel off the washer end.

Is that microscales I see before me, or is it a 20/8 blade?

Seriously though... super job.

Well done well done!

Good lateral thinkin.
+Buckler

Very interesting, I might have to try this sometime