Can kitchen knives be made using a file?

[josh81]

I decided to make three small kitchen knives for gifts. These are only my third, fourth, and fifth knives so my experience is very limited. I already had the bevels filed down before I read that you guys usually grind bevels post heat treat. My material is .074 o1. My question for you guys is should I just scrap these? I took them to .020 at the edge with a ffg. Is it even possible to file bevels after heat treat? I have a cheap 1x30 but at this point still prefer the file. Thanks for your input! I hate asking all these questions but you guys have been a big help so far. My first two knives aren't even back from heat treat and I'm already going to town on six more feet of steel. I'm addicted!

 

[Matt Rochester]

Most of us that do bevels post heat treat do it because it lessens the chance of warping during to heat treat process. You will be fine. I would check with your heat treater and see if .020" is too thin. If it is just knock it back a little to thicken it up. You can remove .010" with sandpaper after heat treat and end up with a .010" edge before sharpening which will work out great.

 

[Don Hanson III]

I heat treat folder blades all the time that are around that thickness and bevels already ground to .020".

I see no reason not to go ahead with this.

 

[josh81]

OK thanks guys. I was hoping that was the answer because that was a lot of filing.

 

[stezann]

Many people who use a belt grinder don't realize how much could be done with just files, stones and sandpaper. Go for it as Don suggested, and welcome to the knife's addiction!!

 

[JG Custom Metal Works]

It seems to take forever to grind the bevels post heat treat on a hardened 1080 chef knife, using my 2hp KMG, at 3650rpm, with a 36 grit belt. I can't imagine how long it would take to grind them in using files or a 1x30.

 

[josh81]

It seems to take forever to grind the bevels post heat treat on a hardened 1080 chef knife, using my 2hp KMG, at 3650rpm, with a 36 grit belt. I can't imagine how long it would take to grind them in using files or a 1x30.

I know that's what I'm concerned with. I want to get them as far as I can pre heat treat but I'm worried about going too far. It may not even be feasible. The ones I have filed are small petty and paring blades. Would like to make some bigger but not if it means hours of filing and getting a potato chip back from heat treat.

 

[JG Custom Metal Works]

I know that's what I'm concerned with. I want to get them as far as I can pre heat treat but I'm worried about going too far. It may not even be feasible. The ones I have filed are small petty and paring blades. Would like to make some bigger but not if it means hours of filing and getting a potato chip back from heat treat.

With thin stock you're always at risk of having warping issues. With kitchen knives that I oil quench, I heat treat before grinding the bevels if they're .125in or less. I've STILL has warp on one gyuto, even without any bevels ground.

Petty knives shouldn't be too difficult to grind post HT. You'll have to use the grinder though.

 

[josh81]

One more quick question. I just got my first two blades back from heat treat and finished one of them out. They were 1095 at 59rc. I was surprised at how easily they were still filed and even used my 1x30 a little. How much harder to work could I expect o1 at say 61rc or so? Just curious now that I have a little bit of reference. Thanks!

 

[josh81]

OK quick update and a question I'm hoping for some input on. I went ahead with the heat treat and also profiled a couple more to send in. Sent to Darrin from this forum and had no issues whatsoever. Over the last couple of weeks I did a ton of practicing on my 1x30. I got them back and went to work on the largest blade. I'm happy with the way my grind turned out especially for free handing it. My concern is the location of

the plunge. It's just driving me nuts for some reason. Is it in the wrong location? Look weird because the scales aren't there yet? I'd greatly appreciate your opinions. This one is a gift and the first of my knives someone else will own so I'd really like it to turn out to the best of my abilities.

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[josh81]

Sorry for the pictures in the middle of the post. Not sure how I managed that.

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[Hengelo_77]

looking good