History Channel segment - Michael Vagnino

Mark Williams

Mark Williams

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Just saw it for the first time yesterday. Pretty cool. They had Mr Vagnino dressed in period clothes , forging a knife from a file. :)

David Carridean (sp) actually seemed to be pretty interested and impressed.
 
I saw that yesterday. Michael sure makes it look easy. I particullarly enjoyed the comment made by Carradine that knives were primarilly for utility not weapondry.

n2s
 
not2sharp said:
I saw that yesterday. Michael sure makes it look easy.

n2s
Click to expand...

He he,

That's what Mr Carridean said.

Kinda glad to hear him say that smiths DID use old files for knives.

Seems there are some experts who say nay. I would imagine if the experts had more of these originals made from files in their collections, the nay might change sides.
 
They should have more knife maker stuff on tv. I thought about emailing the folks that run the show that feature crafters on the learning channel and seeing if they might profile a knife maker. Also there's a show on the travel channel called made in America, they could have a show on a knife maker, either a smithy or a grinder or do half the show on each technique.
 
The would probably be too chickenshit to do a knifemaker segment, I've thought about it also Michael. maybe if someone were doing a wedding set or something less icky than a cutter, they might do it.
 
what was the timeline for the knife made of a file? as far as i know,no one argues that some pre 1800 knives were made from files. but the vast majority of knives were made in factories at Sheffield and other locations in europe and were not made from files.
 
Mike started off as my teacher. He is now one of my very good friends.

He is ONE of the most precision forged blade smiths you will find.

Make sure you make fun of the big hat they made him wear. Mike is a bladesmith that you will NOT find wearing a cowboy hat at shows. So I got a kick out of the hat.

A strange sidenote, that does NOT sound like him!!! It's weird.

I was really proud to see that segment they did on him. Even though he tied me down and forced me to watch the tape. Then the tape broke, because he'd already watched it 83,000 times. ;)

Just ribbing. I'm sure he'll see this eventually :D

-Nick-
 
The chapter on file knives in the "Bowie Knife Book" by N Flayderman not only has examples of period knives made from files (doumented and with provenance) and the book also has several 19th century source documents that make mention of knife making from files.

After a post that Mr. Levine (in the Bladeforums archives IIRC) made that ALL files made after 1900 (or so ?) were made from "air hardening" steel I take his statements on this particular subject anyway with a grain of salt.
(guess those 1095 and other non-air hardening steel files were all made prior to 1900 eh :confused: )

The idea that a file on the frontier was more important than a knife is IMO a 20th century attitude NOT an 18th/19th century - he also has stated that the vast majority of "primitive" knives are just much worn, much used imported knives - patently not true as there is documentation for "home grown/blacksmith" blades.......of course even the best of the best imported blades - including Sam Bell who had at least some of his Bowie blades made in Germany and hilted here by himself..... ;)
 
That's great. Boy I wish we got cable or even more than three channels up here. Mike is a hell of a nice guy. I met him at Blade two years ago and he's helped me out alot, especially fine tuning. I'd love to see a tape if anyone has one available. Good for Mike.
 
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