File Knives

V

Vivi

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I've been interested in making knives for a while but wasn't sure where to start. I've heard a lot about making knives from old saws or files and thought I'd try that assuming I can do it with minimal equipment. I've got some old files, unknown steel, and not many specialized tools. I'm not worried about the handle, sheath etc, I just want to learn how to melt down the steel, form it into a blade, shape it, temper it so it'll hold an edge etc.

I'm looking at the various tutorials in links but if you could point me to something geared more towards what I'm looking for I'd be grateful.
 
Hello vivi. I am working on my first knife. I am using a lawnmower blade. I had heard also that files and lawnmower blades will work well for knifes, but a lot of the advise I have recieved on this site has been to buy some known steel. Because when you know what steel you have you can better heat treat it, and it is relatively inexpensive. For the files, I would say keep them, you will need some good files to make a knife. I started with an angle grinder, dremel, files, vise, SANDPAPER, markers, a few other small things I can't recall just now, and a strong desire to make knifes. Go to ebay for handle materials, I have gotten a lot of good deals on there. Hope this helps. If you want to try with the file, look up Greenpete, there is a link on this site somewhere, or it is on youtube, he makes a knife with a file on that video.
 
Yup, Greenpete, that's the link I posted. I was fascinated at his ingenuity when it came to doing some of the steps.
 
That guy made it look so simple. I might have to try this before the end of the year.
 
Thanks for the links. When I have a day off I might give it a shot. I remembered I also have a camping book written around the end of the 19th century that has a chapter on making knives from old farm tools, so I'm going to read up on that too.
 
Although composition of any 'scrap' steel is unknown, File material is the most likely type of scrap to be decent high carbon steel. If you are uncertain, just try filing down a spectrum of steel samples with it. If it bites into most samples then it should be fine to use. When you have got experience and are making good knives, then like most of the guys advise, buy the proper steel and get the applicable heat treating charts for them. Good luck.

Lang
 
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