File Knives

Franco32

Franco32

Joined
Dec 11, 2007
Messages
122
Does anyone have any advice on using files for blades. I have several laying around that need to be put to use again as something different. I've been using barstock and would like to try something new...Gary
 
First remember all files are not created equal, Ie some are not as good of steel as others. That being said I have made some good knives from Nickels and Simmons files you can forge them like any simple steel. To file or grind them first heat them to around 1400 (go non magnetic) and then cool very slowly. I have a tub full of kitty litter/floor absorbent I bury them in for the night and cover with a piece of insulation. Next morning you can drill, file what ever. Even if you forge you can often see the file lines.

Here is a fun with files knife, the handle transition was formed by folding and turning the file around a piece of all thread. I looked at it and then brazes up the lines.
 

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I would assume I would have to anneal the file since grinding and finishing would be next to punishment. File on file would be like kissing your sister. Not a whole lot of fun and what's the point.
 
Who says kissing your sister is not a wholle lot of fun??

It can be great fun! my sister is a great kisser, ask my dad.
 
You haven't seen my sister...I think see might be one of the reasons man invented the blade........
 
yeah...

what would be great is a chart that says the steel types from each file manufacturer
 
I received a phone call from Copper tools today. The Representative who talked to me informed me that while the exact composition of the metal in Nicholson files was proprietary there general line of files could be treated like W-1 W-2. There farrier files were of a slightly different steel and could be treated like 1095.

This was from an earler post that was on using files for knife making.
 
That's good information...one could possibly assume that most file material would be close in make up. That is the good files. Who knows what something made in China would turn out to be in a blade.
 
The annealing process I read about tells you to put the steel into a fire, get her red hot (like my sister) and leave the steel in the coals to cool slowly. This seems a little low tech to me, you know the best way to anneal tool steel like in a good file?
 
I heat until nonmagnetic "red hot" then bury the steel in kitty litter and ashes, then let cool over night. "low teck" but it has worked for me for 35 years.
 
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