file work on finished blade

N

neckringer

Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
13
If I buy a pre finished blade to build a handle for can I do file work on the top of the blade or is the knife to hard for this?
Will it ruin files?
 
It depends on what type of material the blade is made out of. Reason being, for simple high carbon steel blades you can draw back the spine of the blade with torch to soften , of course staying away from the tip. If you don't want to do that you can invest in some diamond files that will work on hardened steel blades of nearly any type, stainless , high carbon , talonite etc. Starting with an already hardened blade is not the easiest way to start your first file work job. I guess there are some that prefer to work with blades that have gone through heat treat, I am not one of them though. I do all of my file work prior to heat treat. And yes, it will wipe out steel files and is pretty tough on diamond files too, but it can be done with the later. If you are going all the way around the blade, being already hardened, I would buy diamond files rather than drawing the spine with torch (high possibility of error for new knifemaker) No offense meant, I am assuming you are new to this if you are asking this question. Buy good files too, Grobet, Nicholson, Simonds. BTW, at one time, we were all new to knifemaking :), all of us ;) If I can be of any help, email or PM me. I am always happy to help out someone just starting out.
 
You can get pretty creative with a Foredom or Dremmel with carbide burrs, stones and cutoff wheels. Higher risk of hosing it up than with diamond files though.
 
Use diamond files. They're $3.99 for a set at harbor freight. Those are the ones I use and they work great.
 
If the blade has a temper line that you can see. You maybe able to file work the blade down to where the two meet. I do this in my shop all the time. But you will need to see the temper line to do so. I have illustrated this in my shop tour. Hope this information was helpful and if you need to discuss this issue, feel free to call me on the phone and I can go over it with you. God bless and have a safe knife day in the shop.

Barkes :thumbup:
http://my.hsonline.net/wizard/knifeshop.htm
1.812.526.6390
 
If you intent to use stones, you are going to be at it a loooooong time.
 
Alan Molstad said:
why?
And are you talking about some type of very thin stones, almost like my chainsaw round file?
Click to expand...

To me, when you 'file' something you're using a metal file to cut other metal. If your tool is abrasive based your not 'filing' anymore.
People talk of diamond 'files', but that is really a 'stone' product like any other abrasive bonded to a handle or mandrel. It will be more difficult to cut 60 Rc with swiss files than a diamond 'file' or mineral/ceramic abrasive product.
There are all sorts of diamond, AO, SC burs available for use with a flex-shaft machine, not to mention the diamond 'files' and precision 'stones' for small work.
 
neckringer said:
If I buy a pre finished blade to build a handle for can I do file work on the top of the blade or is the knife to hard for this?
Will it ruin files?
Click to expand...

My guess is that the Dremmel suggestion would be about the fastest way to go.....
you have to be carefull as there is a chance you could screw things up with just the wrong bump of the tool,,,,but it would be fast...
 
raylaconico said:
Use diamond files. They're $3.99 for a set at harbor freight. Those are the ones I use and they work great.
Click to expand...

How long does a set last you Ray? This is one of those things I would usually avoid HF for since I could see cheap files being just that...cheap.

-d
 
I have a set of the files ray is talking about, they actually work pretty well, my grandma uses them to take the edge off glass after she cuts it for picture frames as well as my using them on steel to practice filework, however i got you beat ray :p mine were $1 b/c they were on sale :D
 
thanks for the replies. Yes I am new to knife making.
I have started a few from old files. I made them soft and have not heat treated them and my file work on them has come out great thus far. I was intrested in this however due to the fact that I would like to just order a blade for 1) have for something to make copies off of and something to aim towards.
I really liked doing the file work and was questioning if I could do it on steel that had been heat treated or a "finished blade".
thanks very much for all the help offers
 
NO the file will simply slide away and not cut well as the steel is already hardened. You could use a dremel or such with stones instead of file steel(w2?) or you could make file worked handel liners and add to the knife.
 
A thought just occered too me...YOU MAY BE ABLE TO DO IT AFTER ALL!!!! I have seen Diamond needle files for sale and they will work hardened tool steel. I am not shure where you would get them or how much but they are available and my machineist buddy has some.I will try too find out where too get them ...otherwise google search it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top