Mosaic pins/ knife guards

[Chuck Fawcett]

A couple of quick questions, how do you make your own mosaic pins, and is there a place to purchase such. I'd like to make them as I'm a hands on guy and that stays with the traditional way. Also where is the best place to purchase brass or nickel and in what rough stock size for your guards as a rule of thumb any information would be deeply appreciated. Thanks Chuck.

[Bill Kissner]

I picked out some tubes and pins from a hardware store and made several pins. You need a brake bleeder to pull a vacuum on the tube to pull epoxy through it after assembly. I found it much easier to buy the pins already made. There is a fellow selling them on the auction site cheaper than I could buy the supplies and he has a variety also.

[Jeremy]

I normally go with 1/4" brass or nickel stock for guards, but will go thicker on bigger knives if the design looks better with it.  I buy most of my stuff from Jantz.

I'm switching from using nickel to using 303 stainless as soon as I run out of nickel   .  It doesn't seem to be as gummy and doesn't seem to tarnish as fast.

[Kevin Evans]

I also like 1/4 or less on most knives.When I started I liked big pins.Now I seem to like no pins or small ones.
I get most pins from Jantz also.
Like Jeremy will be switching to stainless when my nickle runs out!!!I am tired of the tarnishing and having to re-polish.
Will have to ask some of the pros how it differs in grinding from nickle???(when I get some)