How long do you anneal an old file?

[johnnyKnives]

I read you can anneal an old file in a campfire. But how long would you keep it in the fire? how would you know if it is done annealing?

 

[godspeed]

When i do it, I just leave it in there until the fire dies down to ashes. I usually anneal 3 or 4 at a time. Sometimes only part gets annealed and you have to start all over. You have to check it in several different places with a file or hacksaw.
And another thing, you'll want to straighten your files after annealing. Mine are always either bent or twisted.

 

[sunshadow]

I made my first couple knives out of old files (it was what I had when I was 14 in the late 70s ) save yourself the heartache and buy fresh new good steel with known chemistry

http://njsteelbaron.com/shop

-Page

 

[Blackfeather]

I say listen to Sunshadow but...

Having made a few knives, if you want to call them that, out of files you really want to do it twice. The first time make sure you keep it laying on the spine, less warp that way. The second time I would suggest using vermiculite or something as effective because it gives a more even heat displacement and there shouldn't be any warp. Aside from that, use different steel, they really take a lot of work and are a pain to heat treat. But, I didn't have money to buy any steel and was using freebies.

 

[Angus McGunnigl]

I looked up Greenpete's way of doing in on the YOUTUBE and have had sucess.
Campfire had worked fine for me.