Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades Mosaic pins

Anyone else getting tired of seeing them?

I don't get tired of seeing them. I like em'. I think they look real good if there are no flaws in them. And functionally, they're as strong as anyone using the knife will ever need.

Whats wrong with them they look awesome

I like em on most knives. They add a bit of eye appeal at little to no cost to the strength of the handles.

Occasionally a design will just not need them and I appreciate that also.

Mosaic pins on a knife remind me of the inletted ivory diamonds on the vintage California style Weatherby stocks and, more recently, tramp stamps on a fine looking woman's back. Just prefer plain SS or brass pins on knife handles. Purely a personal choice.

I am no fan of them.

When I first got into custom knives, both buying and making, i thought they were pretty cool. As my tastes have evolved I am not as fond of them. However I would not have a problem using them again if the design or customer called for them.

pike3e I agree 100% and that is pretty much how I felt and feel now. The thing I don't like is all these guys using them on basically every model you see come out of their shop. I think they are very over used. I see no need at all for them on a working knife. But that is just me.

Although totally unnecessary, it never hurts to put a little lipstick on even the prettiest girl !!

The same can be said for liners and spacers and engraving. They serve no useful purpose, but then there is that 'lipstick' factor.

My opinion is that red liners turn a knife with ivory or ivory micarta scales from just a so so knife into something that catches your eye, and if set up at a knifeshow, can also make the difference between a sale or a no-sale.

Face it, decoration is what attracks people to the high end knives.

I worked through my mosaic pin addiction and while they can add some life to plain micarta, I can live without them today....If you like them, the very best are made by Barry Posner.

Some examples..







A couple with just ss "bolts" from Wayne Hendrix..



I have several customs on order now from Menefee and Dowell that will have ss pins and liners only.

I have liked them in the past,especially on the Ivory Micarta. However... I have an Ingram combo that will be in the mail sometime next week that is Amboyna Burl with SS pins. For some reason on that wood, I thought SS pins to be the better choice.

I think that's a good choice too. That wood usually has alot of figure and color and mosaics would probably detract from the looks of that wood.

I've never favored mosaics...nothing wrong with them, I think they look great on knives, but I've never desired them.

Lately I've really come to like hollow pins and solid colored micarta pins:

To each there own. I would much perfer a beautiful woman not have an make-up on.

I vote for a beautiful woman with nothing on as well!?...

How many use high-end knives? Before you answer that what do you call high-end? I know a few guys that use truly high-end knives and I have myself from time to time. I can take them or leave them on a high-end knife. Personally still rather not have them. My orginal post said working knives. To me working knives would include Ingram, Winston's, May, Dozier, and the likes that are often spoken about on here. You don't have to agree but that is my take on it. Again for me they are way over used on working knives.

I'm digging the looks of that Bob White scandi. I guess mosaics are very personal, either you like em or don't. I've seen some really cheezy looking mosaics that look like they were made in some drug rehab craft class. One bit of advise for anyone wanting them would be to stay away from ones using copper tubing as they tarnish rather quickly. Stainless and brass combo's seem to hold up best for the long haul.

I prefer nothing on but a smile.

That works for me!