Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades Mosaic pins: When is it too much of a good thing?

A while back I started a little rant about knife makers with excessive lettering or stamps on their work. Today I want to throw out another complaint. It seems that mosaic pins have almost become obligatory, even on knives with expensive scales which need no "dressing up". I like some of the fancy pins, used in moderation, usually on solid colored scales. I am annoyed beyond speech when a beautiful set of scales is mucked up my pins that violate the natural pattern and beauty of the materials. I saw an amazing damascus blade recently, matched with a stunning set of scales that flowed with the damascus, only to destroy the whole effect by not not one, not two, but four mosaic pins. In such cases would it be obvious that the pins need to disappear rather than stick out? I really like the micarta pins in these situations, colored to almost disappear. Just my opinion , but what the heck it is a forum which implies opinions are OK.

I like mosaics, even on figured wood. I only like two pins though.

Its always too much for me.

I like mosaic pins. I like them when they're all in good shape and when they all look just alike. If one of em' is messed up it sticks out like a sore thumb. I don't think they take anything away from nice scales, Damascus steel, or anything else about the knife. And I don't believe they are any less strong than other pins...as some do. A solid rod is a solid rod...whether it's a 1/4" mosaic or some other 1/4" material. The only way a scale can come off is if it "lifts" straight up off the knife equally from end to end. Otherwise it would bind on the rods. I still like Corby bolts, and solid rod SS or brass pins, or screws that some makers use to attach scales...but if I liked a knife, the fact that it had mosaic pins on it certainly wouldn't stop me from buying the knife.

Yep!

+1...

feed'em what they want!

+2 I like 'em but only two. Gene Ingram is currently making me one of his H325s with mosaic pins that look like little paw prints. Pretty cool, I think.

I like mosaics ok, but honestly always prefer plain stainless or better yet micarta.

I like mosaic pins better than jigged micarta...I deal with the emotional turmoil and don't buy jigged micarta knives.

I don't care for jigged micarta either, and I don't care how well it works in the hand.

I really like the look of mosaics, but generally go with stainless or micarta pins....not sure why, I guess I just go plain with things I plan on using.

I liken mosaic pins to damascus with spiders, flowers or other designs forged into it. I think some of them are pretty by themselves, they showcase some craftsmanship (especially the damascus) but I would prefer the knife as a whole to attractive, rather than my eye being drawn to a single aspect of it. I have seen some knives with mosaics and designed damascus that Id love to have, but generally opt to go the other way.

I like all well made knives, some more than others. The pins are one of my least concerns.

Exactly!!!!!!!!!!

Thats why God made different kinds of woman.

I tend to like plain pins, but Gene's paw print mosaics are pretty cool...