Black Canvas File Knife

NDallyn

NDallyn

Joined
Jun 22, 2006
Messages
814
Recently, I came into a large quantity of used Nicholson mill files (double-cut bastards and single-cut smooths). After some testing with different heat-treat methods and grinds, I've knocked out the first one for sale, hopefully the first of many.

Leatherwork and sharpening for this one are still in the works, but I figured I would let everyone have a sneak peek and see what everyone thinks. I would also be very interested to hear what type of sheath you would prefer for this blade.

Heat-treatment & grinding process:

-file annealed in my evenheat kiln (held at 1475F for 2 hours and allowed to slow cool for 12 hours)
-profiled and rough ground to 60 grit (bevels hollow ground on an 8" wheel)
-brought up to temp in the forge (just slightly above curie point),edge-quenched in oil (fenso 150 - similar to a parks 50, except made by esso)
-tempered in two, one hour cycles at 400F (in the evenheat)

With this procedure, I was able to get the results I was looking for, a flexible and tough blade which, combined with a deep hollow grind, will make a very versatile cutter suitable for everything from dressing game to general camp chores. I tried a few different quenching mediums, using the kiln instead of the forge, and even grinding a blade from a full-hard file (and another with a spine draw after snapping the first blade like a twig) and finally settled on this method 5-6 files and a few hours later.

Specs:

-10.25" overall with a 5.5" blade
-approx. 3/16" thick at spine
-deep hollow ground, clip point blade, unsharpened swedge
-handled in black canvas micarta secured with 1 stainless corby fastener and 3/8" stainless tube for a thong loop
-satin finished bevels (fine grit scotchbrite finish)

Thanks for looking, let me know what you think,

Nathan
 
thanks for the thumbs up guys. I will be doing the sheath for this one soon, if this was your knife, what kind of sheath would you get? Pouch sheath?, belt loop?, teclok?, etc.

Still trying to decide what would go well with this one, would appreciate some opinions.
Have a good one,
Nathan
 
I tend to prefer drop-point style blades, but I have to say that is an awfully nice knife Nathan. A sheath with a belt loop would be nice but a teclok would probably be more practical (for my uses).
 
I'd go kydex, too, those teeth will eat leather up. Nice knife :thumbup:
 
photonjunkie said:
I tend to prefer drop-point style blades, but I have to say that is an awfully nice knife Nathan. A sheath with a belt loop would be nice but a teclok would probably be more practical (for my uses).
Click to expand...

I am actually making a couple of these in about a hollow ground drop point as we speak (was thinking of calling it a "filecrafter" as it is more of a bushcraft feeling knife with a 4" blade). Actually, I'm liking that design more than the clip point and should have a couple for sale by the new year.

As far as the sheaths go, I don't do kydex, and I'm going to be farming out my leatherwork to a local guy here in Calgary who has over 15 years of experience and makes sheaths for a few other local guys as well - I am hoping that this will allow me to get a better quality end product instead of splitting my time and focus between leather and steel as I am currently doing.

If enough people are interested, I may send a batch out to have kydex sheaths made, which would mean a slightly longer timeframe as no one does them locally (that I know of). We shall see what happens:D
 
You've got Eric Noeldechen of On/Scene Tactical who does excellent Kydex, right there in Canada.

I think something more traditional in leather would work better for that beautiful clip point.
 
and dont go sticking one in kydex:) i actually think leather all the way, kind of a classic looking blade and material needs leather, just my opinion i'm not a fan of the kydex
great work thus far
ivan
 
Thanks for the comments guys! I'm currently finishing up chef's knives for christmas orders, after that I'll be putting out a few of these for sale.

I also prefer leather over kydex, probably why I have never used it, but what the customer wants is more important than what I like....so the option is open.

Have a good one,
Nathan
 
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