File Knives

[woodwalker1987]

Hi Chaps

Relatively new here i haven't made a knife beforealthough i have re-handled a few, i fancy giving a file knife a go...any advice on type of file , method etc would be most helpful...

cheers

 

[Everything Mac]

Hi mate -

files make pretty damn good knives. made a few myself.

are you going to be grinding it or forging?

there is a lot of file snobbery around saying you need to find an old english or american file but i read recently a content analysis for a cheap Indian made file and it was rather close to a "good" file.

get down to your local market and buy a few old ones.


start by putting it into a fire or the forge to soak. get it red hot then shut it all down and allow to cool over night.
this softens the steel and makes it workable. - after that is done you can shape your knife how you like.

once you have done all the shaping and drilling you need - you then need to anneal it again - this removes any stresses that may have built up while you were working it. - exactly the same as the first process - nice and hot then leave to cool slowly.
then you need to harden it - get it nice and hot again - approx cherry red and non-magnetic - dip it onto a pot of oil - this quenches the blade and makes it hard again.
be sure to dip straight down - with no swishing or sideways movement as this will warp the blade.

once cool enough to handle wrap in foil and stick it into an oven (kitchen oven is fine) at about 220 degrees C for an hour then turn off the oven.

take it out after a few hours and you will have a straw yellow knife ready to be sharpened and handled.

there are better guides over on britishblades.com

andy

 

[woodwalker1987]

Cheers mate that seems good to me!

I was planning to grind this one, can i jump straight in on the grinder or do i have to do the methods listed below? (i am more than happy not to rush even if i do sound keen!)

am assuming i'm looking for a file about 4mm as will lose thickness in the process of turning it into a knife?! and is there a preference over a wood or metal file?

may sound silly but bowmaking is my comfort zone and metal work is new to me!

 

[Everything Mac]

Cheers mate that seems good to me!

I was planning to grind this one, can i jump straight in on the grinder or do i have to do the methods listed below? (i am more than happy not to rush even if i do sound keen!)

am assuming i'm looking for a file about 4mm as will lose thickness in the process of turning it into a knife?! and is there a preference over a wood or metal file?

may sound silly but bowmaking is my comfort zone and metal work is new to me!

not at all mate - we all ask the same questions when we start out.

the type of file doesn't matter. and yes around 4mm of thickness is a good place to start but again not much of an issue.

you can jump straight in yes - but it will be a B****** to grind - soften it first and it will be easier.

all the best
andy

 

[woodwalker1987]

Cheers Mac sounds good to me will have to give it a go! another thing to go on the list now! Finish the sycamore flatbow, tidy up the shilleglagh and then make a knife! haha its all go! roll on summer!

 

[Whittler Kev]

Have a search for GreenPetes website (although some are saying its bug infested, maleware on it etc). Real good way to turn a file into a knife in the woods

 

[woodwalker1987]

Cheers kev found the link through another link that bypassed the insecure site warnings etc....

looks very helpful!

 

[woodwalker1987]

for all those wanting a good tutorial on making a file knife heres a good link!

http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/b.../making-my-first-bushcraft-knife.html#One day

Hope it inspires a few people...it has me!