Filework - An era that has passed? (hopefully)

DaveH

DaveH

Joined
Dec 2, 1999
Messages
12,249
I know it's an aesthetic personal judgement but whenever I see filework, I see art knife and waste of time AND it destroys the elegant lines.

I think that era is passing, but not quickly enough.

Thoughts?
 
I feel that filework, if tastefully done, adds to the appearence and value of a custom-made knife. Note, the operative words are tastefully done. ;Properly executed hand filework is an art and, in my opinion, sets off a beautiful blade. I guess filework is like mother-of-pearl scales or gold inlays. Some people like them, some don't; it's a personal preference.
 
haha....one man's meat....

personally, I don't like file work. it attracts too much gunk and dirt. I prefer simple and clean lines.
 
Well, given that the era of the custom knife has passed, filework must've passed with it. Hopefully, the era of metal-bladed cutlery will go out the window and we can use that window for glass-bladed knives or as part of the optical system guiding laser-based cutters.

;)
 
To me it's kind of like making handles out of oak versus cocobolo or Dessert Ironwood. Either one works for the sake of being a handle, just one looks better than the other (which one depends on the viewer). Same thing with filework. I like having thumbgrooves on my blade, and have started adding basic ones to the ones I'm making. I like filework becuase it serves the same purpose when done right but looks better.

It can be over done and I have seen on some knives where it almost looks like it would take away the functionality of the knife which is the main thing that attracts me to a knife.

Charles
 
I only like filework on folders from Bill Pease. He does a very unobtrusive style and I love the way the seam disappears when you open the knife.

Win
 
I like filework, though on some knives it looks beeter than others. For example I prefer filework on a Buck 110. As with any custom work it has to be done right and should have some creative pattern.

So for those of you that don't like it and that have some knives with filework then you should sell them to me very cheap to get them out of your sight.
 
Sometimes filework takes a nice piece and turns it into a confused, unholy mess. And sometimes filework takes a nice piece and turns it into a gorgeous work of art.

It's like Bob Dole's response to the question "Do you wear boxers or briefs?"

"Depends."
 
I don't see much, if any reduction in the number of knives with filework. In fact, over the last few weeks I have seen quite a bit of filework.

Filework is something that I don't usually care for, but there are knives that I have seen that wouldn't have look right without it. There is filework that looks right and filework that should never have been done.
 
Depends on the piece. I like grooves filed into the bolsters or ferrule/spacer but not on the spine. On the other hand, a high end folder needs a bit of filework on the liners or it just don't look right.
 
IMO filework has to be consistent across the knife. "Mechanical" or geometric filework shouldn't be mixed with the more "organic" looking filework. IMHO.
 
I always tell myself that I don't like filework on a knife and then I will see a fileworked blade that just takes my breath away.
 
I like traction grooves on the spine of the blade, but not ornamental filework. I don't mind a touch of filework on spacers in the handle or ferrule.
 
Like anything filework can be nice or overdone. Filework will always be around.

I carry my knives and if you carry a knife some filework can be a PITA. For example, filework around slipjoint springs and linerlock backs is forever collecting dirt, dust, pocket lint etc. The problem is maintenance. Some filework is easy to clean out, others you can do it with a little more effort, but some you've got to use a brush and a small one at that. If it is a knife meant for use, maintenance should be a consideration in filework design.
 
I like file work, BUT, it really depends on the knife. I have seen some knives that just look spectacular with it, and others, it doesn't look right at all. There is a lot of file work that is very tastefully done.
 
Wow. can you imagine a custom chopper without chrome and metal flake paint?
Or a pretty, sexy woman without high heels and lip gloss?
I would think the knife world would become a sad and lonely place without file work.
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birdhead_cover.jpg


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I hope it never passes. On some knives when done with taste, file work is absolutely just the right thing (Just like the Rados folder above).

On slipjoints I usually prefer the work to be on the inside rather than the outside. especially inside on the backspring. File work (rat-tail or line(s) on the bolsters can sometimes add a very nice touch of elegance)

On the right fixed blades a little filework on ferrule (spacer) or edge of the guard can really work wonders. Like some who have posted I am not much of a fan for filework on the blade of a fixed blade.

In short, I appreciate excellent filework when it works with the overall design and use, but I also appreciate plain when it works to show off a cleanly finished knife.

This one out of my collection is covered with filework. It "works" as far as the overall design.

BrilliantBeauty_bg.jpg
 
Gus, that Delana is super, and the Rados above at bad either. There is definitely a place in the custon knife world for filework.
 
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