You make me want to have a try now. I think you are right about needing a good file though. The older the better. I believe lots of modern files may just be case hardened.....sure i read that somewhere.
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Have you ever tried to make a knife from waste stuff?
- Thread starter Ruukuu
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Hickory n steel
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I read that too,but a year ago or so I made a knife from a modern made in Mexico Nicholson file that I wore out and it was not case hardened.
I heated the tip of the files tang till non magnetic and quenched it, this hardened it enough to snap off like glass.
I don't believe a case hardened file would do this.
Hmm.....my interest is piqued. I'm going to scour youtube and see if anyone has done a 'how to' video.
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I know lots of people that make knives out of old machetes, old circular saw blades and saw zall blades, and lots of other materials. They don't care what anyone thinks, that wasn't the point at all. It was scrap or trash and now it has a job, to cut stuff, and it does.
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By the way, old timers used to do this all of the time. I have several of my grandfathers fish and game knives made by friends. They made them from scrap steel, sometimes they would use wood, or melt down scrap aluminum for handles which could be molded and or filed down to a desired shape.
My grandfather had nice knives, but all I ever saw him clean fish and game with was those knives!
My grandfather had nice knives, but all I ever saw him clean fish and game with was those knives!
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Nice! Those are some neat looking projects.
I tried to make a knife from my wife's meat loaf but my saw blades and titanium drill bits kept breaking on the meat loaf. If I ever get a laser or plasma cutter, I'll post a pic of the finished knife. If those work.
I tried to make a knife from my wife's meat loaf but my saw blades and titanium drill bits kept breaking on the meat loaf. If I ever get a laser or plasma cutter, I'll post a pic of the finished knife. If those work.
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That knife and that sheath look like they were professionally made specifically for this thread topic. 
eveled
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I practice making a knife from a toothbrush disposable razor blades and dental floss from time to time. You never know when that could come in handy.
Other than that I’d rather buy my knives, and I have a forge, hammers and an a few anvils. It’s not something I’d do just for fun and I just don’t see it as being cost effective.
Other than that I’d rather buy my knives, and I have a forge, hammers and an a few anvils. It’s not something I’d do just for fun and I just don’t see it as being cost effective.
Meaning no disrespect, but if you dont find forging fun, why do you do it. I appreciate the family has to be fed and bills paid, but wouldn't it be better to find a job you enjoy?
Hope i read you right, if not i apologise.
Yeh it is pretty crap, but i'm pretty broke, pretty housebound and its fun ( for me ) to try to make things out of rubbish that most people would throw awayThat knife and that sheath look like they were professionally made specifically for this thread topic.
eveled
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I didn’t mean to mislead you. I like making parts and things from metal. I make things I can’t buy. The forge and anvils are just a part of my shop. Knives just aren’t on the list of things I want to make. Because I can buy a really nice knife for very little money.
No my shop doesn’t pay my bills or feed my family.
I'm quite envious of you being able to make things with a hammer and forge. Its something i would dearly love to have another go at, even if i only managed it once. But arthritis in the fingers....added to the stupid eyesight put paid to that a while ago.
Glad i did not p**s you off mate
Yeh, my father made a sawblade knife when he was young. Got it from the mill he worked at i believe. Sadly as said in previous post, arthritis wont allow me to hammer hard.....but i could have a go at stock removal with old files. I've asked my brothers to sort out any old ones they may have so i can have a go.