Fileworking

Peter Atwood

Peter Atwood

Joined
Oct 26, 2000
Messages
2,468
Is it best to do this before or after heat treat? I understand that the steel is easier to file before, but what if there is still a lot of grinding to be done. It seems like you could lose a lot of your filework.

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Peter Atwood

email: fountainman@hotmail.com
 
What steel are you using?
I use O-1 alot and I have found it better to wait til after HT.Removing the scale build up tends to wash the file work away.

If you are using O-1 here are a few tips that I hope helps you.
1-After heattreat:Take the blade to the level of finish you want(satin/mirror).

2-Where you want to do your file work apply some masking tape and lay out your reference marks or draw the design you want(make sure to protect the blade).

3-Now you can start cutting your marks.

Now if you want to do something a little different try this:Lets says you have a mirror finish.Where you are doing the file work leave it at a satin finish and highlight your hard work.

Hope this is of some help?

 
I am using 01 so those are good tips. I ground a small blade tonight and am ready for heat treat. I'll give the filework some thought and do some tests on scrap steel before I start.

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Peter Atwood

email: fountainman@hotmail.com
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by fountainman:
Is it best to do this before or after heat treat? I understand that the steel is easier to file before, but what if there is still a lot of grinding to be done. It seems like you could lose a lot of your filework.

</font>
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HEY!!!
do it before heat treat. u think all that file work u see is done after??
i don,t think so!!!
after heat treat its pretty simple to go back in w paper and clean everything back up take a look at my kendjell i have on my web sight
harley
www.lonesomepineknives.com
 
I will agree with doing it before and after heat treat !!!!
I differentialy heat treat my 5160 blades so the backs are not hard to file after I do my heat treat.
You sholdn't have to remove much material after you heat treat so you shouldn't end up hurting your work after heat treating.And this is the only way to hand file the filework in if you completely heat treat the blade...
There is a tutorial on my website if you are interested in the way I do mine.
Bruce

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Bruce Evans Handcrafted Knives
The soul of the Knife begins in the Fire!!!!!
Member of,AKTI#A000223 and The American Bladesmith Society
asmallpicofbruceforforums.jpg
 
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