Nicholson Files

[panch0]

I want to make a file knife. The question I have other than how the heck do ya make one is: How do you break or saw the file? I do not have a forge or oven so I just want to temper the files and grind off what doesn't look like a knife. Is it easier to break it to the length I want while is is hard or after tempering. I don't think the bimetal blades I got from harbor freight will work even after its tempered down. Thanks.

-frank

 

[SBuzek]

Use a cut off wheel on an angle grinder, then use the angle grinder to start your bevels,
go slow and try not to over heat too much. to drill holes in it your gonna need a carbide bit.
Stan

 

[JasonSCarter]

Your going to need a bench grinder. and a coffee can full of water to keep it cool.
Dont let it turn blue or it will have to be re heat treated. Get a Nicholson or Simmonds file. Stick it in a vice with a little less than what you want subtracted showing, then smack it with a hammer. so you buy a 12" file, and wou want a 9" OAL knife let 2.5" over hang the vice and smack it with a hammer, you want a little more left on the file for clean up and shaping. Dont press hard or it will ruin the temper.

 

[J. Hoover]

You can use an angle grinder to cut it to length, and profile the blade.
I remember the first file knife I made. My forge was a hole dug in the ground. You can actually make a decent forge in this manner with a little thought. It worked sufficiently to anneal the file for the the most part. I got that puppy red hot as I could get it , buried it in the coals and left it until the next day. From there on out it was hand filing all the way.

 

[panch0]

That was easy just one hack and it was done. Thanks I thought I was going to have to build a new machine and process to do this. Lol. Now for the profiling. So to temper its 2hrs at 400 degrees correct?

 

[bjalongi]

Hey Pancho,

How have you been doing your heat treating? If you can heat treat steel, you sure as heck can anneal it.

My first knife was from a file, but I didn't know you had to anneal it first. I spent many hours shaping it. Sanding files that aren't annealed takes a frigg'n long time, seriously. You should anneal it.

Before i got a forge, I used a stove burner and a torch. The method was crude, but worked ok. Lay the steel on the electric burner set to high and slowly go back and forth with one (or two if you have them) propane torches. At the time, I only had torches for plumbing. Then stick it in a pile of fireplace ashes. That's probably the cheapest way you can do it with almost zero tools.

If you don't have the equipment to do it, I can hook you up if you mail it to me. I'll anneal it and send it back.

Take care,
BJ

 

[panch0]

I send my blades out for HT and I read that these ht like 1095. The problem I would have is getting them Ht'd once they are ready. I think Peters could do it but it is only one file. I will definitely consider sending it to you. Thanks.

-frank

 

[LRB]

Temper at 425° to 450°. 2 hours, twice, let cool to room temp in between.

 

[foxbat34]

Temper at 425° to 450°. 2 hours, twice, let cool to room temp in between.

I have made several file knives, this is the method I use too.

It is just like grinding post heat treat.
Just be careful to quench often as you grind or else you can overheat the blade before you know it, especially when you start to get down to final thickness.