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File work
- Thread starter mattd
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I like it when it's perfect, subtle and fits the overall theme of the knife.
But that's pretty rare and I don't like it now as much as I did in the past.
No explanation why
But that's pretty rare and I don't like it now as much as I did in the past.
No explanation why
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- May 2, 2013
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I'm sorry, but as a collector as well as a maker, this is a bit of a soap-boxer for me... (Not that it should really matter. Just one man's opinion so please read it as such...)
Very subtle little accents are fine... But, when I see file work on the edge of every surface it leads me to believe the maker has some trouble getting dead flat surfaces to meet each other cleanly... It is a cool skill to learn, but I have yet to sell a knife that had file work on it...
There is a crowd that likes that overboard stuff. The thirteen different handle materials laid together with the three to four different types of metal adornments and then a whole ton of file work. So I am sure there is at least a market for it out there... Even the proportions on these particular Pakistani ones on the fleabay are way out of whack for me... but they do actually sell...
To me, it looks...
From a practical standpoint, file work is just a place for bacteria and other nastiness to accumulate. It is also a good place for a scale to start popping off, or to chip out if dropped. Sharp angles in file work are a great place for stress risers to start as well. I might add, when it does come to file work, some of my favorite that I consider tasteful is seeing file work with dyed epoxy laid into the file work to match a spacer. That looks clean... Like this...
I think it is one of those things that is faddish and kind of catches you up when you first start getting into higher end knives. You start looking at customs, and see the gaggle of them out there that have file work, and a first are really impressed. It looks cool, and catches your attention. Then you settle down and start looking at true fit and finish, or make a knife yourself and you realize there is more skill in perfectly mating two flat surfaces, or getting a clean 90 degree joint between materials than there is in marking off a spine and filing a pattern. The exception for me is when we are talking about folders. Folders are already, by nature, a hotbed for trapping every piece of pocket lint and crud from your hands. Just fitting up a custom folder is hard enough and shows enough skill that file work doesn't appear to be hiding anything. There, it looks good to go a little overboard. But, I have an exception in that I like the file work on the spring-back and liners, etc, but not on the blade in that case... Dunno, matter of taste I guess.. Like here, it looks good to me...
That's just my $.02, sorry if that offended anyone. It certainly isn't meant to. I have yet to see the OMG amount of file work that I see as gawdy from anyone here. Most of what I have seen here is tastefully done and in areas where it makes sense. And, it is another little thing that can be used to separate styles and continue to make room for all of us to have an audience with our craft... I have seen some very innovative and creative file work patterns out there, and those are pretty much an art form of their own. And that, I can certainly appreciate..
But, I'm not overly fond of mosaic pins either... Same thing: I can see the effort and talent involved, and the draw for those who do as they add another point of interest to a knife, but just don't particularly like them...
-Eric
Very subtle little accents are fine... But, when I see file work on the edge of every surface it leads me to believe the maker has some trouble getting dead flat surfaces to meet each other cleanly... It is a cool skill to learn, but I have yet to sell a knife that had file work on it...
There is a crowd that likes that overboard stuff. The thirteen different handle materials laid together with the three to four different types of metal adornments and then a whole ton of file work. So I am sure there is at least a market for it out there... Even the proportions on these particular Pakistani ones on the fleabay are way out of whack for me... but they do actually sell...
To me, it looks...
From a practical standpoint, file work is just a place for bacteria and other nastiness to accumulate. It is also a good place for a scale to start popping off, or to chip out if dropped. Sharp angles in file work are a great place for stress risers to start as well. I might add, when it does come to file work, some of my favorite that I consider tasteful is seeing file work with dyed epoxy laid into the file work to match a spacer. That looks clean... Like this...
I think it is one of those things that is faddish and kind of catches you up when you first start getting into higher end knives. You start looking at customs, and see the gaggle of them out there that have file work, and a first are really impressed. It looks cool, and catches your attention. Then you settle down and start looking at true fit and finish, or make a knife yourself and you realize there is more skill in perfectly mating two flat surfaces, or getting a clean 90 degree joint between materials than there is in marking off a spine and filing a pattern. The exception for me is when we are talking about folders. Folders are already, by nature, a hotbed for trapping every piece of pocket lint and crud from your hands. Just fitting up a custom folder is hard enough and shows enough skill that file work doesn't appear to be hiding anything. There, it looks good to go a little overboard. But, I have an exception in that I like the file work on the spring-back and liners, etc, but not on the blade in that case... Dunno, matter of taste I guess.. Like here, it looks good to me...
That's just my $.02, sorry if that offended anyone. It certainly isn't meant to. I have yet to see the OMG amount of file work that I see as gawdy from anyone here. Most of what I have seen here is tastefully done and in areas where it makes sense. And, it is another little thing that can be used to separate styles and continue to make room for all of us to have an audience with our craft... I have seen some very innovative and creative file work patterns out there, and those are pretty much an art form of their own. And that, I can certainly appreciate..
But, I'm not overly fond of mosaic pins either... Same thing: I can see the effort and talent involved, and the draw for those who do as they add another point of interest to a knife, but just don't particularly like them...
-Eric
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I meant to add, what you have pictured there is nice, clean, uniform, and looks great...
-Eric
-Eric
Hengelo_77
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I like it! This pattern is not over the top to me.
I like it on the spine of a hidden tang (when done with taste)
I like it on the spine of a hidden tang (when done with taste)
synthesist
So many knives so little time
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When it looks like Jim Schmidt's does it ads a whole lot to the theme...................
Most people aren't Jim Schmidt though
Most people aren't Jim Schmidt though
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Great break down! pictures, correctness, humor. File work can subtract, as well as add to the piece. I like the epoxy filled look. I haven't seen that before. I did a full tang in a similar way but with only one size file. It may be a little much but I still like it.- Joined
- Aug 20, 2013
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I tend to like filework if it's done properly, if it's even, fits with the overall design of the knife, diminishes with tapers of the blade, etc. It serves the same function as jimping, but with a far more artistic element. It shouldn't be on kitchen knives for the reason that Lucy mentioned nor should it be on tactical knives for obvious reasons-but any other knife, it has its place if done right.
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For many makers who do it, it becomes part of the overall styling, design to complete the knife. It combines with the knife to help you decide if you like the knife or not by giving you what the maker thought was part of what was to be done. Frank
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I think that is right on the money Frank. IMHO a competent maker can do excellent file work. A good maker knows when, where and how much of it to do without killing the design of the knife. And like Corey shows with Jim Schmidt's work, done on a complete show piece the sheer excess is what seemingly makes that all come together... And on those the design of each file mark compliments the next.
-Eric
Hengelo_77
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When it looks like Jim Schmidt's does it ads a whole lot to the theme...................
Most people aren't Jim Schmidt though
On this knife I like it but because the handle material is an "non over the top"-white.
Would it have been a burly wood of dramaticly coloured ivory it would have been to much IMHO
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- Nov 23, 2003
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I receive more requests for file work on my knives, than I do for knives without file work . . . and I make mostly hunters.
I agree that a chef's knife or a guide's knife shouldn't have file work, because the crevices may harbor bacteria and it takes some attention to assure that they are completely clean. Yet, the average sportsman tends to view his custom knife with pride and doesn't mind taking the extra minute to assure that the file work on the spine is well washed at the end of the day.
As a matter of personal opinion, I enjoy the look of well executed file work. If it is not done well, it detracts from the overall appearance.
Mike
I agree that a chef's knife or a guide's knife shouldn't have file work, because the crevices may harbor bacteria and it takes some attention to assure that they are completely clean. Yet, the average sportsman tends to view his custom knife with pride and doesn't mind taking the extra minute to assure that the file work on the spine is well washed at the end of the day.
As a matter of personal opinion, I enjoy the look of well executed file work. If it is not done well, it detracts from the overall appearance.
Mike
Last edited:
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For me it isn't as much bacteria on a hunter... on a chef's knife it is. On a hunter it is the little bits of unsupported handle material that just provide a chipping point or a place for a delam to start. That's the issue on a hunter.
And yes, many do regard their custom knives and custom guns as a prized possession... But, I can't tell you how many custom owners that don't know the proper way or proper products to use to clean their prized possessions... lol.
And yes, to re-state I do like it myself where done right and in moderation. Just stating some common drawbacks. No reason not to do it, everything we do has benefits and drawbacks and we have to balance those issues.
Edit: just to add. The filework I see on your knives Michael is just about what I would consider right. Fitting for the style of knife, and not improperly deep or too busy a design. Now if I tried to put your filework on my style of blacked out minimalist nitty gritty knives it just wouldn't look right at all...
-Eric
And yes, many do regard their custom knives and custom guns as a prized possession... But, I can't tell you how many custom owners that don't know the proper way or proper products to use to clean their prized possessions... lol.
And yes, to re-state I do like it myself where done right and in moderation. Just stating some common drawbacks. No reason not to do it, everything we do has benefits and drawbacks and we have to balance those issues.
Edit: just to add. The filework I see on your knives Michael is just about what I would consider right. Fitting for the style of knife, and not improperly deep or too busy a design. Now if I tried to put your filework on my style of blacked out minimalist nitty gritty knives it just wouldn't look right at all...
-Eric
Last edited:
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I agree with Lucy Custom knives - it has to be absolutely perfect, and in moderation.
I don't like it going all the way up the blade either. It also looks best when the cuts are either filled or blued to accent the pattern.
I like the design you have, but it's too much for me - would have liked it better if you would have found a nice way to cut it off at the ricasso.
I don't like it going all the way up the blade either. It also looks best when the cuts are either filled or blued to accent the pattern.
I like the design you have, but it's too much for me - would have liked it better if you would have found a nice way to cut it off at the ricasso.
cmroberts1
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I love file work. It adds so much character to a knife.
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- Oct 6, 2003
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I would love to give a tutorial a shot. I have only done a few but I am happy to tell you what I know. It will be good to hear what the more experienced guys have to say too. I'll work on it soon and post it here. Guys have done a couple good YouTube vids as well.