file work.......

[Morrow]

In general, I don't find file work on traditional folders appealing. The exception being small and precise file work on liners. I do appreciate the talent and time it takes to do the work. What are your opinions? Also...it is entirely possible I've not seen the proper examples of file work to change my mind so please post examples of what you consider to be top-notch examples.

 

[VCM3]

I think for guys who strictly collect,filework is gorgeos,when done right
Nothing worse than second rate attemps,but then again,I guess knifemakers have to get experience somehow.
But for a user type knife,you don't need that.
Also,fileworked spines can be uncomfortable,too A lot of guys really love a fileworked up knife
-Vince

 

[VCM3]

Here is the filework on a tenny tiny David Taylor pen knife Sometimes less is better,IMO

 

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

Here's a special shot that Coop did for me a few years ago.

 

[Blues]

Generally speaking I'm not a fan of file work on my knives for a variety of reasons, however, there are exceptions and these are the exceptions that I happen to own:


Bill Ruple:

Don Morrow:

Rusty Preston:

Raymond Smith:

 

[Peregrin]

Here's two of Don Morrow's trappers. I don't think you'll find filework done any better:

 

[Morrow]

Thanks for posting all the pictures. After looking at all of them I realized something. Is is file work on the blade that turns me off. The ultra-detailed work on the Ruple knives is attractive. The Gedraitis examples are fantastic but are right on the cusp of having too much for my taste. The Morrow knives are awesome as well but again...too much for me.

 

[Blues]

Just for accuracies sake, the knives I posted were (from top to bottom):

Bill Ruple (Medium Stockman)

Don Morrow (Barlow)

Rusty Preston x2 (Medium and Large Stockman)

Raymond Smith (Barlow)

Edited to add:

I've gone back and labeled the images now.

 

[Morrow]

Just for accuracies sake, the knives I posted were (from top to bottom):

Bill Ruple (Medium Stockman)

Don Morrow (Barlow)

Rusty Preston x2 (Medium and Large Stockman)

Raymond Smith (Barlow)

Edited to add:

I've gone back and labeled the images now.

The Rusty Preston knives are my favorite ones. The work is small...detailed and not enough to draw my attention away from the knife as a whole. When there is too much, I find myself looking first at the file work. I'd rather take in the whole knife first, then look at the individual aspects that I like.

 

[Thomason]

A smatteringD) of file work on a Bill Ruple Barlow.

 

[mnblade]

In general, I don't find file work on traditional folders appealing. ... What are your opinions?

Never liked it. File work is like too much make-up on a pretty lady.

 

[Bastid]

I am quite mixed. One of my favorite knives is made by Richard Rogers. Not a trace of filework on the outside, but when you open the blade there is some intricate work on the inside of the spring. Comes across as very elegant to me.

Folks like Bill, Joel, Richard, Don, Rusty and Rusty make it work, but it sure hides the effort on fit and finish. I prefer understated if it has to have it preferably on the inside of the liners and spring, but full blown on some patterns can work too. Bill especially is an artist who seems to make his filework flow well with the knife and you can see his influence with many makers.

I guess in short for me, it depends, but if in doubt leave it plain and show off that fit and finish. .

 

[KnifeHead]

I appreciate the art and the hard work that goes into it, but I don't appreciate the dirt that goes into it. Uh'course, I suppose you would have to actually USE the knife to get dirt in it.

 

[kamagong]

I appreciate the art and the hard work that goes into it, but I don't appreciate the dirt that goes into it. Uh'course, I suppose you would have to actually USE the knife to get dirt in it.

I think that's the primary reason why I don't like filework. I'm a user by nature and I usually use a new knife within a couple of days. I'd gunk up a fileworked knife in no time.

Then again file work just doesn't appeal to me all that much. I'd rather decorate a knife with nice handle materials, eye-popping swedges, or even damascus or etched blades.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[waynorth]

That "smattering" on Rob's Ruple Barlow is the perfect app. of file work IMO! (Only a knife person could understand that sentence!)

 

[smiling-knife]

This 3 pc lobster is marked J. Howarth, Sheffield. The file work is on the outside of the file attachment and the back of the tangs rather than the spring. My current belief is that the work was done by Ernest Mills circa 1950s.

 

[Clydetz]

I like filework on a collectible knife but my users all lack it.

 

[338375]

I like file work if it is very simple, and minimally done...
Personally I think if it gets to elaborate it distracts from the clean lines and simplicity of a slippie.
I do appreciate the talent and hard work involved to do it correctly though..
I REALLY like Elliotts Preston and Thomasons Ruple......

 

[texasboy]

I like filework on a collectible knife but my users all lack it.

What is the last one on the far right? And could we see a picture of the face of the knives? Thanks man.

 

[Clydetz]

They are all Buck 112's and 110's. I will try to take a pix of the 'face' of the knives tomorrow. The one on the far right is a Buck 110/112 spruced up by Painted Pony...