File Question for a rookie

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hvychev77

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Jan 4, 2015
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Hi everyone, i'm just getting into knife making and have made one thus far, and obviously i learned alot. I am hand filing my bevels and have a question about the files to use. I purchased a generic set from Lowe's with a round file, a bastard file, and a mill file (i think that's all correct). My issue is when i hand filed my bevels, i found that it left some deep scratches in the knife blade (bevel area specifically). So, what file do i use to get a finer/smoother finish on the knife bevels? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
hvychev77
 
After the bastard/mill files, you use a "second cut" file to clean up the marks. From there you go to sandpaper backed by a hard wood or Micarta block.
 
Where can you get a second cut file? And any recommendations on brand? Thanks for the speedy response!
 
also

rub chalk into the teeth of the file and file in one direction.
Brush the file teeth if they start to hold onto metal shavings.

The chalk helps the file teeth to let go of the shavings.
Filing in one direction helps the file stay sharp (dragging it back dulls the file except on aluminum which helps get the shavings out of the teeth but aluminum is soft like wood).

If you let shavings get really stuck in the teeth then you can get galling where the shavings gouge into the surface you are trying to smooth. It is not such a big deal when you are taking off a lot of metal but while you are trying to smooth the surface with a finer file it can make a difference.

Oh . . . and get or make a belt sander as soon as you can (you're working too hard) :)

PS: I recommend looking for BFFs :thumbup:
Big ___ Files. Worth the money when you are trying to move a lot of metal as fast as possible.
16 inch, 18 inch . . . let me know if you find some longer ones.

 
Most places that sell files sell second cut and "finishing" files. Try the knife regular suppliers.

All industrial suppliers sell them. McMaster-Carr is on of those.
 
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