Why use washers?

Sorry if this is a dumb question or one that is asked a lot.

Why use washers on the outside of the scales when peening? Why not just make the hole slightly 'V' shaped so the pin spreads into it and holds the scales tightly--like in pocket knives? (Particularly, the liner-less variants).

Is it just aesthetics or are there other more practical reasons?

I do have a practical reason for asking, in the blade I am restoring, I kind of...er, demolished...the original washers. So I was just considering options.

It is very, very easy to split the scales with the pressure from tightening the pin. Washers help by taking the brunt of the strain; that said you can do it without... you just need to be very careful and, well, precise in cutting the pin to length.

Yup, def not necessary. You'll notice that the vast majority of razors in ivory do not have washers.

It all depends on the scale material. If the material is strong enough, they aren't necessary. If not, the washer helps to disperse the force.

Good to know! The scales I am working on are 1/8th inch Honduran rosewood. A very dense hardwood. So I could get by without washers with these?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Precise

Good to know! The scales I am working on are 1/8th inch Honduran rosewood. A very dense hardwood. So I could get by without washers with these?

---

My rule of thumb is "If you're asking a question about something, play it safe." I'd suggest using washers unless you have a lot of experience with pinning.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Precise

Good to know! The scales I am working on are 1/8th inch Honduran rosewood. A very dense hardwood. So I could get by without washers with these?

---

Wood is, by nature of being a natural product, possessing of grain which will make it very prone to splitting, no matter how dense. I would use washers... particularly if you are not very experienced with pinning, as holli4pirating noted.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

Wood is, by nature of being a natural product, possessing of grain which will make it very prone to splitting, no matter how dense. I would use washers... particularly if you are not very experienced with pinning, as holli4pirating noted.

---

I agree with the run-on-ish sentence above. When I said "if the material is strong enough" I pretty much excluded all woods. I don't think wood is a great scale material by nature, but many here would disagree.

I am starting to shift toward a preference for stabilized wood. If I'm using wood that is :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Philadelph

I agree with the run-on-ish sentence above. When I said "if the material is strong enough" I pretty much excluded all woods. I don't think wood is a great scale material by nature, but many here would disagree.

---

Yeah that stuff is just terrible . I mean seriously 150+ years, I expect my stuff to last way longer then that.... :D

Attachment 48164

Oh, that's just lovely. :fim:

:beer2:

one of the other reasons to use washers, is in case you ever need to remove the scales at a later date. The washer will help to protect the scales when you are either filling the peen off or drilling them out.
If you are worried about having washers that are overly large, then there is always the option of making some yourself. I drill a 1/16 hole and use the appropriate circle on a circle template and just cut them out of stock brass or nickle.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Yeah that stuff is just terrible . I mean seriously 150+ years, I expect my stuff to last way longer then that.... :D

Attachment 48164

---

Glen, you should know as well as anyone that those scales you posted are maybe 10 years old at best. They are by no means original... or in good shape. Don't get me started on acrylics either. ;)

Actually Alex you sound like a "Black Rifle" shooter...

Hehehehehe :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Actually Alex you sound like a "Black Rifle" shooter...

Hehehehehe :)

---

I gotta say though Glen, I'd love to see what Alex could do with a block of that Silver Twill CF big enough to do a rifle stock... would be an awesome looking boomstick for sure