Hand file guide

[guitardemon]

So I'm working on my first knife, and I'm looking for some kind of guide to use to help me file and even edge on my knife. This is about all i have been able to find: http://www.usaknifemaker.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28&products_id=617

Has anybody used one of these? How does it work? Is there anything i can get at a local hardware store that will work instead of this gizmo?

 

[Ryan Minchew]

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38358

Post number 34 shows close up photos to get a better idea. It also shows it in action. You can use square tubing or angle iron if need be, but the ones you buy will be hardened and not eat away with a file as easily.

 

[Big Smitty]

RUJOCO on this site sells a nice file guide. have one and like it, it is hardened. Look in the for sale area of this site in the tools section to find the thread where he sells them.

 

[jll346]

I will second RUJOCO's file guide. Very inexpensive and a nice product. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=564449 If you have some $$$ you can opt for Uncle Al's with carbide face plates but it is not cheap.

 

[guitardemon]

So this guide is just used to make the plunge correct? Is there a guide to help file the edge (something that will keep me at 15 degrees on both sides) or is this just done by hand?

 

[jll346]

It has nothing to do with sharpening. Pick yourself up a Lansky system for sharpening and it will serve you for all your sharpening needs. Or go the best and get an Edge Pro Apex system.

 

[Mark Redmon]

So this guide is just used to make the plunge correct? Is there a guide to help file the edge (something that will keep me at 15 degrees on both sides) or is this just done by hand?

+1 to what jll346 said about the edge... if you are talking about the primary bevel, you may want to consider draw filing.. works great and the tools (single cut files) are cheap.

-Mark