my first file knife

[VII Blades]

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho...34696_172493702849997_303524_1598970774_n.jpg

I made this with a back yard brick forge with mapp gas, a disc grinder and a 3x21 belt sander. slight convex edge, but very slight. I hate convex.

 

[b_rogers]

Looks good!

 

[AVigil]

It looks really nice. What steel did you use?

 

[Bo T]

That looks great. How thick is it? How did the heat treatment turn out?

 

[VII Blades]

It was an old nicholson file, so from what I read it is w1. It is 1/4 thick. I did a file testand it held up great. but I anneled it twice, heated to a few minutes over nonmagnetic, peanut oil quenched, air cooled for a few minutes, then baked it in the oven at 450 for 2 periods of 2 hours. I haven't put am edge on it yet, but it seems pretty well hardened.

 

[james terrio]

You have a good eye for design. I notice the index-finger groove is nicely smoothed-out, that's a good thing. Perhaps on your next project you'll consider tapering the blade and tang to reduce overall weight and improve balance.

 

[Pete Allan]

Wish my first one looked that good.
I like the handle shape and the large rivets .
Keep up the good work.

 

[thegeek574]

A closer look at the plunge would be good. As it stands now, the plunges look a little dirty. A Nick Wheeler style sanding tool will really help, as well as letting you get into all sorts of tight grooves that your fingers can't get to. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-x4wj8WC8U&list=UUM3ezocAUFI1HtIi4V7SLmw&index=8&feature=plcp This shows the tool and the technique.

 

[GTH11]

That is real...real...nice, all you have to do now is make another one! As far as putting an edge on it.. there are alot of methods out there, which ever you decide keep in mind not overheating that edge, and blowing that temper. GHaile