annealing and retempering a file

[Kevin the grey]

I was lucky enough to acquire a large file . My goal is to make a simple knife and a couple of flint strikers . What is the simplest method with the least amount of equipment to take the temper out to shape the metal and then to retemper it . I hope I,m using the right terminology .

 

[AwP]

Basically you need to be able to heat it past critical, which is when steel becomes non-magnetic, approx 1500F. The easiest way depends on what you have available. An O/A torch can work, you could build a forge with gas, coal, or charcoal, you could even use a ceramics kiln if you're patient.