Older Craftsman file for a knife?

S

spareparts

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May 12, 2010
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I recovered an older beat up rusty Craftsman file from work. Tried doing a search but the words "craftsman" and "file" brings up way too much info to try to narrow it down. Just stamped "Craftsman", no other markings.

Rather than throw it in the scrap bin thought I'd check with you guys and see if it is worthy of turning in to a knife.
 
I'm sure it's decent steel and in theory could make a good knife, the problem is figuring out exactly what steel it is so you know how to anneal and heat treat it. If you can't find out what steel it is then you just have to guess at the heat treat; if you guess poorly then it may not be a very good knife at all.

Sounds like it will be difficult to find out the steel if the only identifier is 'craftsman'.
 
Check the stickies. There is a good thread there that will walk you through how to make a file knife.
 
Check the stickies. There is a good thread there that will walk you through how to make a file knife.
Click to expand...

No issues making a file knife. Just not sure about the quality of steel from Craftsman past or present. I don't put any resources in to it if it will just be mediocre at best.
 
That's the problem with using files/recycled steel of unknown type. It might make a nice knife. It might make an horrible knife. You won't know until you try because it's doubtful anyone will be able to tell you what type of steel it is beyond "someone once told me C-man files were xxxxxx", or "most files are xxxxxx".

Take a piece up to a shade or two past non-magnetic and quench in oil or brine. Then snap it in half in a vise and see if it snaps and what it looks like. Report back and we can give you more advice.
 
I have made two knives out of older craftsman rasps. Everyone's right, it's a bit of a crapshoot. The two I made worked out well. I'd personally trade a bit extra ferrite (from a low carbon file) or pearlite (from too slow a quench) resulting in a 57/58 hardness for the coolness of a file knife like this. The coolness of the pattern and Craftsman label, IMO, overcomes any metallurgical deficits. Pardon if the pic posting is against the rules, let me know and I'll drop them.

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lots of people don't advise making knives from files, but if you use the teeth artistically I think it can be fantastic. ^ that one is a wonderful example of what I am talking about
 
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