Are files too toxic for knife blanks?

G

Gauge7

Joined
Apr 13, 2006
Messages
264
Hi everyone.

I have been learning how to make knives and have been using any materials that I can get for free or for next to nothing to use for practice. One of my favorite materials has been the use of old files (nicholson, diston, sabre, etc) for my blanks.
Recently my brother was speaking with a blacksmith that works for him about my knives. The blacksmith was upset to learn about my use of files. He said that when files get to forging temperatures they release high amounts of zinc gas. He told my brother that not even a respirator will protect me from these fumes.
I had never heard or read about this before. Can anyone tell me if this is indeed fact?
Thank you very much for any advice.
 
I think there might be some risk if the files were galvanized, but to my knowlege, files would not be galvanized or contain zinc at all. Lots of people here use/have used files with no adverse affects that I have been made aware of. -Matt-
 
Thanks for the info. I had really hoped that the guy was wrong as I am just getting back into knife making. I took a hiatus after slicing part of my finger off about six months ago while sharpening one of my first knifes. Now that I have the feeling back I really wanted to jump back into it. When I was informed of this blacksmith's views all I could do is look at the pile of files sitting on my bench and ponder what I was going to do with them. Now I can get some more practice.
 
"Welder's Flu" is caused by breathing zinc fumes. This is a problem when heating zinc plated metal. Zinc is not used on files because the plating would be soft and dull.

Welders flu is not as bad as other toxic metal poisonings. Lead, cadmium, mercury cause brain damage. Beryllium can kill you. Zinc makes you feel bad. The "antidote" is milk, BTW.
 
Thanks everyone for the clarification. I think that I should probably inform my brother to the fallacy of that guy's statements. If he is inaccurate concerning this subject how off would he be in other matters? I mean my brother has given this blacksmith a contract for the next three months to put on exhibitions of blacksmithing.
 
Only if the file were used on something galvinized or leaded. This would show by the teeth being gummed up with a soft metal. If I were to find a file that had any lead looking substance loading it I would be very careful about fumes. Other than that I would heat and hammer to my hearts content. The chrome and nickel in stainless is more dangerous (and not much unless you weld or plasma bunch of it with your head in the fumes) than anything in a normal clean file.
 
I've made about 75 knives out of old files over the years and haven't had a problem ever.....I think....hmmmmmmm....things is gettin' kinda fuzz..yy.....visions blurry...sounds are far away....Grandpa...is that you....why do you have a halo on your head....I'M Where?....

Seriously.....You're blacksmith acquaintance is not giving you accurate information. Actually, it sounds like he just made it up. Or maybe someone told him that and he believed it.

Most files are made out of W2 or 1095 tool steels, both of which have been forged successfully and safely for years.

Ickie
 
Blacksmith is also wrong about the respirator, at least OSHA thinks it some protection for zinc fume exposure.
 
I've been sucking on the same old file for at least two years now and I still don't have any (flinch) problems (twitch). Maybe he (flinch) meant if you have more than (flinch) three a day?

Of course, it might explain my repeated outbursts of profanity!:D



There's a simple test for mental infirmity, btw... if you are at all amused by this short film, and watch it more than once, counseling might not be a bad idea:

This is NOT funny.
 
My first reaction was the same as pretty much everyone else, but this following quote makes sense:

ib2v4u said:
Only if the file were used on something galvinized or leaded. This would show by the teeth being gummed up with a soft metal.
Click to expand...

If you don't know the history of those files, it certainly wouldn't be a bad idea to clean them up real good first. Actually, I've read it's a good practice to grind all the teeth off before you start forging anyway, would would take care of any potential issues.

On a related note, I'm always real careful to keep my general use files separate from my gold work files, in case I've used 'em on some lead based solder. Lead and gold don't get along well.
 
Ditto on the respirator. A good respirator and the correct filter will protect you from heavy metal vapors. Arc welding heat is way higher than forging heat and a 1/2 mask with hepa filter will keep you safe. We are now required to wear one to weld stainless alloys also.
 
That blacksmith is the thing emitting large amounts of toxic gas.................... He's a victim of his own brown air I fear.

Syn
 
If you don't know the history of those files, it certainly wouldn't be a bad idea to clean them up real good first. Actually, I've read it's a good practice to grind all the teeth off before you start forging anyway, would would take care of any potential issues.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that. It had never occured to me. Most files I get were used by old guys to sharpen their lawnmower blades, but that doesn't say some others weren't used for toxic materials.
Actually, I've read it's a good practice to grind all the teeth off before you start forging anyway, would would take care of any potential issues.
Click to expand...
Good advice. I just learned about that recently and ground the teeth of the knife I am currently working on.

Thank you everyone for the great advice and information! It has truly been helpful.
 
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