If I wanted to make a knife from a file

Fish30114

Fish30114

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Jan 5, 2014
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I've done the search thing and found nothing appropriate, what I am wondering is what file would one use (purchase) if they wanted to make a knife from a file. I saw a Maker post here once who said his file knives were his best seller at the shows he frequented.

I would just like to know the basics of building a knife from a file, and which file you knowledgeable folks would us for the endeavor. I think I know one of the challenges will be that a file is already hardened, so drilling and otherwise working it will be difficult, but I know some folks do it, so I'm just trying to figure out how.

PS - I did look through the Super-sticky, and didn't see any specific recommendations on which file to try. If I missed and someone wants to give me a nudge...PUSH in the right direction, I will appreciate it.
 
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Nicholson files are usually safe. Best place I've found is pawn shops. Usually get them 2 for a dollar here if you carry them both up there at once with cash in hand. I know there's a post somewhere where Stacy gives detailed instructions on how to make a file knife...
 
howdy, these are my opinions, others may disagree but i make knives from files. i use only nicholson, and when i can find them the ones they made in the usa , but they have moved all production out of country, so i focus on the made in mexico ones. its just my opinion, but coming out of the same plant i can learn what quality control issues they have and work around them.
imho DO NOT use the cheap files as they are only case hardened and i've heard are not made from tool steel. they suck as files and do worse as knives

you can't just grind a shape and make a knife from a file, it is way too hard and brittle. you can draw a temper on them and work them that way, but you will have to get 30 dollar carbide drill bits to drill through them, i like doing the file knives and leaving the file marks on but it's kind of a pain and i am transitioning away from the files myself.
for you i would recommend annealing the files for 24 hours in some ash or sand before you start to work them
this again is my opinion, others may disagree
 
Salty, that's a good tip on that search methodology. I have heard 'the Google Search' mentioned before, but didn't know how to get going with it. Thanks a lot.
 
You can also test by spark test if your file is high carb or case hardened by the sparks.

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If you have a grinder, see if the steel on the surface of the file — and the steel 1 or 2 millimeters below the surface — give off the same short, bushy sparks. These sparks indicate high carbon content. If the steel below the surface gives off longer sparks that flow out in straight lines, the file is case-hardened.
 
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