globemaster file mystery steel

brets-ftw

brets-ftw

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Sep 11, 2010
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recently bought a bunch of files at a swap meet all of which say globemaster India, but I can't find any info on the steel, now I would normally assume it is W1 but you know what they say about assuming so I wanted to double check here before I send them off to be annealed.
 
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there is a good chance that the India files are case hardened mild steel. if you are going to use files, at least stick to Nicholsons and other high quality ones.
 
brets-ftw said:
recently bought a bunch of files at a swap meet all of which say globemaster India, but I can't find any info on the steel, now I would normally assume it is W1 but you know what they say about assuming so I wanted to double check hr before I send them off to be annealed.
Click to expand...


Before you spend any more on this.

If they work as files keep them, if not toss and remember the lesson learned.

Buy known steel.

1084 from Aldo for a DIY Heat treat
It's super cheap too.

, ats34 or CPM ATS 34 if you will send it out.
http://njsteelbaron.com/

The $ you will spend on shipping it out or annealing will pay for LOTS of good blade steel.
 
bladsmth said:
I merged the two threads.
Click to expand...

thanks, my phone likes to double post for some reason.

And To be quite frank, being a college student im trying to do this on the cheap (not knocking Aldo, as ive heard nothing but good things about his store and product, but my price range did not extend to the specs that id like to have in the steel), So i'll just manage with the difficulties that come with it. If the file is in fact case hardened well, that sucks. back to the flea markets and such for a US file.

thanks for the help and saved money
 
If budget is your only problem, I'd be happy to send you a piece of Aldo's 1084 and a block of stabilized wood so you don't have to waste more money on files.

- Greg
 
brets-ftw said:
thanks, my phone likes to double post for some reason.

And To be quite frank, being a college student im trying to do this on the cheap (not knocking Aldo, as ive heard nothing but good things about his store and product, but my price range did not extend to the specs that id like to have in the steel), So i'll just manage with the difficulties that come with it. If the file is in fact case hardened well, that sucks. back to the flea markets and such for a US file.

thanks for the help and saved money
Click to expand...

What exactly are the specs that you are looking for? If this is your first knife (it sounds like it is), then you need to take all of the advantages you can get.

Get a known, uniform, heat treatable, high carbon steel, that has already been annealed and is ready to work.
Trust me... after you've sent these mystery files to be annealed, cut and profiled them, sent them out for a mystery heat treat, cleaned them up and made handles and sheaths for them, one of two things is going to happen:

1. Your gonna have a serviceable blade (albeit with a questionable heat treat) that you saved 10 or 15 bucks on (maybe).

2. Your going to have a shiny piece of mild steel that won't hold an edge any better than a butter knife, and you're going to look back on all that wasted time, energy, and perceived "savings" and wish you had just spent an extra few dollars on some known, quality steel.


Now, depending on how much you're paying someone to anneal and heat treat these files for you, (plus shipping?), plus the cost of the files themselves, gas to get to the flea market, and all of the extra time, effort, and "difficulties that come with it", I just can't imagine that your saving much, if anything, over spending $20 dollars for four feet of 1084, or even $30 bucks for 4 feet of W2 from Aldo.

Heck, you might even call Aldo up and see if he'll sell you a 2 foot piece for half the price.
 
Brets,

We love you buddy and because of this "PUT THE FILE DOWN"

Let Tryp send you a piece of steel so you at least have a chance of making a knife like object :) And when you are done I bet if you ask nicely one of these kind gentlemen who has experiece heat treating 1084 steel that Tryp sent you will heat treat it for you.

Thats how we roll around here.
 
I don't suggest using recycled steels as someone trying to learn the ropes. BUT, Matt Bower, a maker on another board, did an analysis on some files (yes, I know they won't all be the same).
Interesting nonetheless. This is what was found:

Cheapo, made-in-India, Harbor Freight bastard file:
C:1.3 | Mn: 0.34 | P:0.015 | S:0.009 | Si:0.24 | Cu:0.01 Cr:0.62 | Mo:0.005 | Ni:0.02 | Sn: 0.003 | V: - Nb:0.010

Huge old Nicholson mill bastard file:
C:1.28 | Mn:0.34 | P: 0.016 | S:0.015 | Si:0.15 | Cu: 0.02 | Cr:0.14 | Mo:0.005 | Ni: 0.02 | Sn: 0.002 | V: - | Nb: -

Huge old Heller mill bastard file:
C:1.20 | Mn:0.25 | P:0.010 | S:0.020 | Si:0.12 | Cu:0.04 | Cr:0.03 | Mo: 0.004 | Ni:0.03 | Sn:0.018 | V: 0.005

So, even some Indian files are made of very good quality steel. And contrary to many stating their1095, these sure aren't.
 
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