Thanks folks.
Your replies were certainly helpfull.
About the file knife, it worked out great.
I only tempered it once 2 hours at 230 °, and because I left it pretty thick and quenched only the first centimeters, it can be bent (I stood on the blade wrapped in duck-tape and my father stood on the handle on a concrete log) but not broken. In fact, it only bent about 15 ° when I jumped a little. I only recently lowered the edge angle, and it shaves hair even after I cut up a leather bookcase and some cardboard boxes. It's thickness makes this last one hard.
I even have my first customer for it ! It's my uncle, who keeps horses, and he currently has it as his stable-knife. Easy, and I didn't have to make a sheath. See how long it lasts cutting wood, strow, cord and other things. I told him, that if he could break off more then 2 inch I would replace it. In normal use off course. It is about 5 mm thick at 2 inch off the tip. It is about 5 inch long, full integral, with a leather wrap as handle (yes Achim, idea comes from your knife). See if I can get it back to post a scan here.
I serrated a part, on request, for cutting rope and leather. Went better then I tought with a dremel chainsaw kit and a diamond engraver.
It has another cool feature. I etched it to see if it had a temperline, and it has a steady, wavy line 2 cm steady off the edge. Very clear to see.The handle is not hardened in any way.
The edge makes a file skid, but after the line, the file bites and ends in totally soft steel at the back. It is about 1.5 " wide. it may not look good, but it is my first forged knife, and I excpected worse.
Next time I am going to try to quench the edge in water. See what that gives.
One thing was a disapointement. I nicely ground it till 220 grit, but when it came out of the oil, I could start over! It had a random pattern on it, looking like it had bloodvains under it's skin.
thanks you all for your reply. bart.
