Thread: Nickel silver rod

Ok so I was just wondering is the nickel silver rod used to pin straight razors the same stuff used in welding filler the reason I ask is I’ve always just bought the premade kits so someone is making a killing off of me an if the filler rod is the same I can save myself quite a bit of money.

I have been using nickel silver wire from a jewellery supply shop.

Thank you rezdog do you by any chance know what the percentage of each material in these rods as it may help me with my choice since one of the places I found it list the makeup an percentages.

I believe that nickel silver is copper, zinc, and nickel. I bought several feet off of eBay for a few dollars and it works well

Thank you Ernie1980 that’s a big help as that is what the filler rod is made of according to the one site I was looking at an it’s like $12 for 3 pounds not that I need that much but I guess I could always makeup my own kits to sell on EBay also.

Here is where I get mine:

https://www.texasknife.com/vcom/prod...3fdd6abb687868

Something to be aware of when using nickel/silver for pinning. It bends much more easily than brass rod. Where this is an issue is when you are spreading an end before putting into the scales. My point being, it's really important that the hammer doesn't raise more than an inch with each stroke as well as keeping the strokes soft.

I do not know the percentages at all. I got a small roll five years ago and do not even remember what I pad, but I still have many feet left. It is very slightly large than1/16” and is have to slight enlarge my scale holes. I tried once to figure it out with my calipers as to how much larger it is than 1/16” and the number is in the thousandths of an inch, washers and collars all still fit.

Heed what Pete said! The purchased lengths may be anywhere from dead soft to hard, and therefore flaky and not really the best for pinning if you are not experienced with the rod. And I have had trouble even though I am not inexperienced.
JMO
~Richard

I’ve been pinning for awhile now I was just wondering if it was the same stuff an it does seem to be. I’m simply tired of over paying for pinning kits when I can buy it all in bulk and save quite a bit.

I've reverted to brass, partly for the reasons cited by Richard (inconsistent anneal state) and Shaun (slightly oversize) - i measured the nickel rod as 1.62 mm and the brass as 1.58 mm, 1/16" is 1.5875 mm so using the brass in preference is a no brainer if you want to avoid having to ream all your washers or file down the rod ends. Obviously nickel is nicer looking and more consistent with the original pins in old Sheffields but practicality wins IMO. Also, getting hold of the stuff is near impossible in this country unless you want to buy kilogram quantities of brazing rod for upwards of a hundred bucks. Brass is available at hobby shops for a few dollars.