Heat treating

[colewaldron@rocketma]

I have a blade that has been heat treated and I want to hand file serations into the blade will this ruin the heat treatment or temper in any way?

 

[bdmicarta]

You will not harm it if you do not generate any significant heat. If you tried to cut serrations with some kind of powered machine you might generate enough heat from friction to affect the heat treat in localized areas. Hand filing with a file that you hold in your hand probably won't have much affect, but you could go slow just to be safe.