Optimal file cut for large blades

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peppen108

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Apr 14, 2012
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This is a luxurious problem. I have scored a 9 feet of hi-end 01 (uddeholm Arne) in an ideal dimension for big chopper knives. And I have weaseled my self into a well-stocked German tool import company in the next town over. So I can pretty much get any DIN file I want for retail price.

The files I'm thinking about are standard bastard files. They have 10, 12 and 14 inches. And 1 course to 3 fine in the flat bastard selection. They also have 12 inch extra course (0) and milled extra extra course but these cost six times as much.

I have been using their 12 inch course (1) as my stock remover on smaller knives. I've noticed that horse shoe files and rasps are to corse and tend to slide over the knife rather than digging in.

Now I want to step my file game up to match the task at hand. I'm thinking about buying six 14 inch course (1).

What are your thoughts on file choice for removing large quantities of tool steel.
 
I can't comment too much except to say that you will need pretty big file guide (if you use one) to accommodate the longer files and actually use all the stroke. More stroke would definitely be nice. I feel like middle ground on the coarseness is preferable for me because i'm not having to work as many deep gouges out while draw filing the main bevel. You could use an extra coarse file to do most of the removal, but then switch to a finer one to draw it down to your center line.
 
If they are available, I would look for Nicholson "Magicut" files. They remove a lot of metal, but leave a relatively smooth finish.
 
Magicut seconded... I made most of a sword with one and cleaned up lots of early fixed blades, they cut cleanly and quickly.
 
Thanks for the input. :) My file jig is simple but big.

I do have one magicut typ file. Love it, but does it really remove steel faster than a corse bastard file? I have not tested but it feels like a course bastardfile leaves more filings at the table.
 
Try Bahco 1-100-12-1-2 or Bahco “OBERG CUT” 1-106-12-1-2 .I have them both and I have magicut from Nicholson .They all remove steel very well .Second one from Bahco is almost the same as magicut.........
 
The Magicut will leave a slightly less rough finish. Follow the Magicut with a 6" smooth cut or Swiss #2 cut mill file used in a draw file stroke.
 
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