Can I Filework?

Q

quillworker

Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
4
Hi can I file work a Damascus blade that has been heat treated already? I see many damascus blade blanks forsale but I want to do some filework on one.Hope someone can help answer my question thank you. Jim You may email me at muscle@wcoil.com
 
You can if you use diamond files. You can find sets of diamond needle files pretty easily with a quick google search.

-d
 
The first question is, have you done filework before? A finished, especially Damascus, blade isn't the best one to learn on. Filework is usually fairly simple in concept, but it has to be very straight and square and even or it will stick out like a sore thumb.

Sure you can file hardened/tempered steel, but it certainly takes longer. On the other hand, you may make smaller mistakes more slowly, working with HT'ed steel. :D
 
If the spine has had the temper drawn soft, it is no problem. Practice on plain steel (unhardened) first.
Stacy
 
Last edited:
You can "filework" hardened blades with a dremel tool, I've seen Alan Folts do it many times. Dwayne Dushane also covers some of this in his video.
 
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