How to file a hawkbill knife?

[Minibear464]

I'm working on a slipjoint, and wondering how one would file the bevels on a hawbill, or recurved knife. Also, I'm trying to make a knife shaped like something else. So far I have designs in terms of hearts, and leaves. Any better ideas?

 

[Phydeaux]

I would use the round side of a half round file.

Ric

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Yes, it takes a curved surface.

Use a half-round file for the rough shaping, then wrap the sand paper around a dowel. For final sharpening, use a rounded stone, often called a "slip stone".

If using a grinder, a hawksbill or recurve is one place a 1" belt really shines ( bad pun).

 

[Minibear464]

So... I cut it to shape first, and then just file it with a round file? If I'm drawfiling the rest of the blade for a recurve, do I skip the curved part, and do that later?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

To some degree you can use a flat file. A 1/2" wide one will do best. When you get down to the final shaping and then to sharpening, you will need a curved surface on the curved areas.

When using the file, "turn" it as you follow the hook.