File work

[Savagewolfrm]

Hi guys I wonder if anyone can help me out here. I have just purchased a blade and wondered if there is a way I can soften it so that I can add some file work to the spine not sure if I have to heat it first or what any help as always gratefully appreciated
Rick

 

[Silverhill]

Hi Rick,

Assuming the blade is already tempered throughout and holds a good edge, you'd need to remove any fittings and heat the whole knife to cherry red and then let it cool very slowly to anneal. This would make the blade workable once cooled for the purposes you require.

Heating the blade to the above colour would destroy the temper, leaving it very difficult to take or hold an edge. You'd need to re-temper the blade in order to keep the knife sharp, which would depend upon the type of steel your knife is made from.

Everything Mac is a good Bladesmith who is a regular on the forum, as is Dave Budd. I'm sure one will be along soon enough to give you some more info.

 

[flexo]

for a basic file work,you could use chain saw files without heating the blade,but if you want a more refined thing you'll need to annneal it!

 

[Dave Budd]

don't fret about re- heat treating it.There are 2 ways to get around that

1) put the cutting edge (and about half the blade width) into a blob of clay to protect the temper of the edge and tehn heat the back with a blow torch until it goes through blue and into greay. that is as soft as it will get without fully annealing (and with simple steels that's not much differet)

2) use diamond files. or if your hand is steady and the pattern allows, use a dremel with diamond burrs

been there, done that

 

[Savagewolfrm]

Many thanks you guys I appreciate all your replies and when finished hopefully will post picture of said knife
Regards
Rick

 

[DaveBromley]

I would deffinately use diamond files no need to muck about with heat treating and they do a nice job takes a bit longer but not massively more, all depends on how confident you are that you could heat treat and temper the blade again afterwards

Dave

 

[Savagewolfrm]

Thanks guys think I will dry the diamond files first as knowing me will destroy the blade if I heat treat etc,such a clumsy twonk that I am

 

[Dave Budd]

if the diamond don't work just follow my first tip, trust me with most steels this will be enough to let you file it and there is no need to annealand reheattreat the blade