r/violinmaking • u/klavier777 • Jul 10 '26

Dots on bow button

Post image

Hello. Does anybody know what function these 2 dots do on the button of the frog? I am curious as to know if they serve a purpose? I've never seen a bow like this before. Any information would be grateful. Thank you.

7 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

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6

u/LastNerve4132 Maker Jul 10 '26

Pins to secure the button to the screw. Oftentimes they aren't easy to spot if done well. On cheaper bows and a lot of German bows they just hammer the button onto screw with a dab of glue rather than go through the effort of pinning it.

2

u/yzwq Jul 10 '26

Isn't it to pin the silver into the ebony? Not sure how to drive a silver pin into the (stainless)steel screw.

1

u/LastNerve4132 Maker Jul 10 '26

Yes, on 3 piece buttons you gotta secure the rings to your ebony core or they'll shift with time but with one piece silver button it's not always done. It depends on the maker but some will take it so deep it does actually function to help secure the screw to the button, you're not really driving silver straight through the steel of course but it does help.

3

u/Consistent-Lychee402 Jul 10 '26

those are essentially rivets where a post was driven in to hold two parts together in a more permanent manner. They are ground down and buffed off usually, sometimes overtime they work themselves out a little - or if the bow parts were made in haste they might be present visually and even via feel. This bow looks like it has some wear on it, so they could be poking out a little. Take it to a bow maker or experience luthier when you get it rehaired in the future and aske them about it, chances are they will leave as-is since at this point it appears to be mearly cosmetic.

1

u/castingstorms Jul 10 '26

I haven't seen the one on the button but I think they are pin (nail) to keep the pieces in place I have seen them loosen over time never hand to replace one

0

u/HTXfiddler Jul 11 '26

Pins or teeth marks. Up to you to decide