Which grade of stainless for guards/bolsters?

[pork chop]

I would like some opinions on which grade of stainless (303, 304, 416 etc.) is best for guards and bolsters? And if one grade is better than the others, why?


Thanks PORK CHOP

[McAhron]

416 because the 300's are a pain to engrave.

[GHNorfleet]

416 is the best as I find it very easy to solder as well as engrave.

[cliff fendley]

416 if your soldering it or having it engraved. 300 series is more rust resistant but hard to solder.

[SVanderkolff]

416 is nice because itr works fairlly easily and also it is quite easy to get 416 pins. It also seems to be the closest in colour to polished 440C.
Steve

[bindlestitch]

Guys,
Is 416 much harder to work than nickle silver?
Steve, I don't mean to hijack your thread. Your question just reminded me of one I've been wanting to ask.
Later,
Iz

[Karl B. Andersen]

"300" series stainless gets a bad rap that it doesn't deserve.
304 is gummy. A lot like NS. Which makes it difficult to mill and drill without snagging your bits.
However! 303 is an entirely different animal. Completely different.
304 is really easy to get, so when someone does, and then finds out that it's basically worthless for knifemaking, they make the broad assumption that "300" series stainless is a PITA.
It's just not true.
If you look around, 303 stainless is available in a LOT more flat and rectangular dimensions than 416. It mills great, drills easily and is NOT gummy like 304.
It's hard! It's hard to get a scratch out of it!
It also takes a great polish.
However, 416 comes in about every round dimension that you can find.
Don't lump all of the 300s into the same pile.

[Ed Caffrey]

My vote goes to 416. I think its the easiest to work with including grinding, finishing, and soldering. Its also forgeable!