Material Removal for annealed file blades

[JasonFR]

Hi,
I am expirimenting with making knives from old files. I have already annealed a few of my old file blades (it was hard to do many of good decoys and furniture pieces have come out of those files) But they were all to dull to continue to use and its easier to buy new then re-sharpen.
I got interested in trying this cause I own an Anza and I have always really like it. Ok now Ill cut to the question.

When i start grinding the blade is there any certain steps I should be aware of that arent truly obvious. Also at what angles would I grind the knife blade.

Any help at all with actual blade construction would be grealy appreciated

Thanks
Jason

 

[Bruz]

When i start grinding the blade is there any certain steps I should be aware of that arent truly obvious.

At the risk of being a smart asp, the first steps should be safety...no loose clothing, respirator, and glasses. The rest is a little more complicated...what type of knife are you making? A skinner, thrower, pocket knife? What type of grind will work best for your type of knife, a concurve, chistle, clip point or wharncliffe?

I am by no means a pro like the others on this forum, but I just start grinding away everything that does not look like the knife I have in mind. Check out http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=741 , read all the post by the pro's on this forum, and you will be surprised at how much you can learn.

 

[Matches]

Definetly yes on the respirator or you'll be blowing black stuff out your nose. I finished my first one a few weeks ago. You'll be amazed at how the blade takes shape and you just sort of know what to do next.One little thing I found helpful was I made a "sheath" out of cardboard and duct tape for the any work that was required after I had made enough of an edge to cut myself. I believe I may have saved myself a few cuts or stabs while working on the handle

 

[Cougar Allen]

Moving to Shop Talk -- and welcome to the club!

 

[Mike Hull]

Originally posted by JasonFR
Hi,
I am expirimenting with making knives from old files. I have already annealed a few of my old file blades (it was hard to do many of good decoys and furniture pieces have come out of those files) But they were all to dull to continue to use and its easier to buy new then re-sharpen.

They resharpen files, including checkering files better than new.
http://www.boggstool.com/