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Do files cut on the push, or pull?
- Thread starter DgrantD
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 10, 1998
- Messages
- 4,860
Files do only cut one way, on the push. You can exert more force this way.
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2000
- Messages
- 1,370
Try to lift the file on the return sroke, or at the very least have no pressure on the file on the return stroke. This should help keep your files sharper loner.
You may not be aware of another filing technique however which is my favorite...draw filing. If you hold the file (with the handle in your left hand and the tip of the file in your right hand) so that it is perpindicular to the blade, you can then pull the file toward you along the length of the blade. This acts much the same way as a draw knife on wood, and creates nice little shavings of steel and leaves a smoother surface than normal filing when done correctly. You can also leave deep gouges in the surface when you are learning this technique because the file, if not controlled, can slip diagonally in the direction if the cut of the teeth of the file. With a large bastard file you can remove amazing amounts of steel in a very short time. By progressing to smaller files and finer cuts of file you can end up with a very precise, flat and fine surface.
You can also switch the handle to your right hand and "push" file in the same manner.
No matter how you file, invest in a decent file card (brush) and keep your file clean every few strokes, especially when you are approaching your finished surface. Steel chips stuck in a file can leave deep gouges in the blade.
I find filing extemely satisfying and one of the first things to learn about filing is not to bear down too hard. Let the file cut with moderate pressure, it will actually cut better and faster and the file will last longer.
You may not be aware of another filing technique however which is my favorite...draw filing. If you hold the file (with the handle in your left hand and the tip of the file in your right hand) so that it is perpindicular to the blade, you can then pull the file toward you along the length of the blade. This acts much the same way as a draw knife on wood, and creates nice little shavings of steel and leaves a smoother surface than normal filing when done correctly. You can also leave deep gouges in the surface when you are learning this technique because the file, if not controlled, can slip diagonally in the direction if the cut of the teeth of the file. With a large bastard file you can remove amazing amounts of steel in a very short time. By progressing to smaller files and finer cuts of file you can end up with a very precise, flat and fine surface.
You can also switch the handle to your right hand and "push" file in the same manner.
No matter how you file, invest in a decent file card (brush) and keep your file clean every few strokes, especially when you are approaching your finished surface. Steel chips stuck in a file can leave deep gouges in the blade.
I find filing extemely satisfying and one of the first things to learn about filing is not to bear down too hard. Let the file cut with moderate pressure, it will actually cut better and faster and the file will last longer.
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2002
- Messages
- 5,368
I've been using that "draw method" and it has worked for me so far (all of three knives). You're right about the pressure thing, I put too much pressure down the first time I tried, and it was hell getting the deep scratches out.