Am I Insane?!

ptpalpha

ptpalpha

Joined
Aug 25, 1999
Messages
1,317
I've decided to take the plunge and do my own filework. I have two questions (so far...)
1. Are high-quality chainsaw blade sharpening files OK?
2. I want to do some work on the liners of my Carnivour. If I take it apart, can a rookie put it back together, or should I leave this one to the pros?
Thanks, guys. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous about trying this.
Paul
 
That's not insane, though you should do some practice work on scrap metal first. Pick a pattern that's fairly simple and remember that the pattern is created by what you leave, not by what you take a way. Once you've done the work, I think most filerwork looks better if lightly buffed (try a Dremel) to smooth out the pattern. I'm a real amateur at this, but my album shows some patterns if you're looking for inspiration.

I really like chainsaw files; they cut quickly and can leave a very smooth finish. The only trouble is that it's hard to accurately start a cut with such a broad contact area - the file can "skate" around rather easily. I'd recommend getting a triangular or "Cat's eye" needle file and using this to start each cut before widening it with the chainsaw file.

As for disassembling the Carnivour, I dunno... I would
wink.gif



------------------

-Corduroy
"Why else would a bear want a pocket?"

Little Bear Knives
Drew Gleason:
adg@student.umass.edu
 
Wait a minute, we're talking about the liners here, right? I thought REKaT's liners were 400-series treated ~high 40's, low 50's. No problems filing that. For the blade, you would need diamond files or a Dremel, yes.

-Drew
 
The Carnivore isn't hard to dis- and re- assemble. I have found all my REKAT folders to be gritty and stiff upon first recieving them. I routinely take them apart, clean, lube, and re-assemble them even if I am just getting them to sell to others. I hate selling a product I wouldn't carry.
 
Let me just add this..... I think that even spacing and depth is very important. I use Dykem Blue to layout my spacing and depths for the file work. I set my dial caliper and use it to scribe lines along the sides of the blade or liner so all of the "grooves" end at the same point. I use machinist's compasses to mark the distances from cut to cut. As mentioned above, keep it simple and practice first!! I like to practice on aluminum because its easy to file.
Has anyone tried one of those new pneumatic filers????
Neil
 
Thanks, everyone. I do plan on practicing first, as I would hate to scar one of my better knives. I'll let you all know how it turns out. Corduroy-we were talking Carnivour in the Reviews section and someone suggested that you might be interested in trying to replace the plastic slide button with a metal one (brass, aluminum, etc). What do you think? It sounds like you would have a lot of takers!
 
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