OT: Don't throw away old files

Sylvrfalcn

Sylvrfalcn

Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
3,930
Metal cutting files are made from a very good grade of high carbon steel. When the teeth on 'em finally wear out they're ready to start their next life as knives, chakmas, fire strikers, etc..

With Dan's help I thought I'd show you a few examples of my "file recycling program". If he gets a chance to get the pics up I'll provide a bit of commentary. Thanks Dan.

Sarge
 
Pic #1
sarge01.jpg


Pic #2
Sarge02.jpg


Pic #3
Sarge03.jpg


Pic #4
Sarge04.jpg
 
You MADE those???? Damn. They're beautiful. If you could show how to make them, I would be eternally in your debt.

I think of knife makers the same way I think of bicycle frame designers and writers of computer operating systems (sorry about that one): magic.

Joe
 
Thanks again Dan,

Like I said guys, don't throw away old files. None of the knives pictured represents an investment of more than five or six bucks in material, yet they'll hold their own in cutting and edge holding against some pretty darn expensive store bought blades.

Need lots of fancy tools/equipment? Nope, the only power tool I own is a cheap 6" wheel bench grinder. I don't even own a vise. When I say "handmade", I'm not speaking euphemistically. Back in the old days (the really old days) if you were poor folk, you bought a blade from the blacksmith and made your own handle and sheath. I figure if they could make do without drill presses and belt sanders, I could at least try my hand(s) at it.

Side Note for Bobwhite: In my current hectic state I've not gotten around to making your whittling knife. I feel bad about that, so until then pick out any of these that you like and I'll send it along.
That is, all but the fancy neck knife down towards the bottom. Unless I miss my guess, that one's hanging on a feller's neck down in Smithville, Texas even now.:D

Sarge
 
Forgot to add, a small side note that will get a grin from Yvsa. With the exception of Pappy's neck knife, which was very slowly and meticulously sabre ground, all the blades illustrated are fully convex ground and cut like stinkin' blue blazes.:eek: :D

Sarge
 
Joe,

There's guys like Ferguson and "the artist formerly known as Im2smart4U", that are no kidding knifemakers, that could probably teach you more than me. My methods are really crude. For example, after grinding out a blade, I stress relieve it and draw the temper down a bit by sticking it in my kitchen oven and gradually raising the heat until I achieve a nice even dark straw yellow. I have no idea what the resulting Rockwell hardness is, but it'll hold an incredible edge, and is still hard enough to produce hot sparks when struck against a hunk of flint.

The best advice I can give if you want to try your hand at making a knife is to check out www.ragweedforge.com . A good blade will run you less than ten bucks, and Ragnar's got a lot of good info on how to make handles and scabbards. As far as grinding a blade by hand, it's all trial and error until you get it right, go slow and dip it in the water bucket when you feel it getting too warm.

Sarge
 
Sarge,

I might try Ragnar's pre-made blades for my first few knives (so at least PART of the things will be made correctly), but what I really like is the idea of finding a big, old, rusty file that nobody loves anymore at a garage sale for $.25 and making something even remotely resembling your pictures. I HATE throwing away anything durable (read: non-plastic), and my workroom is full of the oddest junk (I go in at night and fondle some of them. Shhh).

If anyone else is interested, we might be able to persuade you to at least outline the process you go through. I'd even send you a jar of my green tomato chutney. Finished this year's batch last night.

Joe
 
The bottom one in pic one or the top one in pic two (could be same knife actually) would do just nicely.
 
"The bottom one in pic one or the top one in pic two (could be same knife actually) would do just nicely."

That's a good pick, sweet little neck knife handled in Axis deer antler. The blade is 3 3/8" long, 9/16" wide, and 1/8" thick, fully convex ground, and with my own secret "magic stone" finish (remember, I own no power tools). I'm sure it'll give you good service. Still, it ain't the whittlin' knife I promised, so I might toss a surprise or two in the box.;)

Sarge
 
That is more than OK with me, you are under no obligation to me what-so-ever. I am in debt to those who defend my rights and freedoms.
 
It's not about that Bob, but thanks for restating your support for our men and women in uniform. No sir, if I said I was going to do something, that's the same as giving my word. I was brought up to believe if a man's word was'nt good, neither was he.

Speaking of that, I'm fearful Pappy's going jump on his motorcycle and come skin my hide. I said I was going to mail him his old Kobra, and I wrapped it up, packed it up, and left it lying on my worktable out in the garage. Sorry about that Pappy, with the trip to Florida and some of the stuff that's been going on around here I've been, as my mother would put it, "addlepated".:(

Sarge
 
Nice knives Sarge!! Did you have to reheat treat them after grinding them? Very cool!:)
 
Yup Chris, I destress 'em and draw 'em down to a less brittle temper by gradual heating in an oven and observing the color change of the steel. When it gets to the color of a good lager beer you're done.

Sarge
 
Good stuff :)

If I tried to make one of those I probably would end up with a duller file with a bend or two in it.

Maybe I'll try make a dull file with a cho. That I can probably do. :D
 
Speaking of chos Bruise, when I whittle the wooden model of Dan's pan knife, should I incorporate a cho to keep hot cooking oil from dripping onto his knuckles?:D

Sarge
 
Sarge is right when he says that the bottom knife in a couple of those pictures is hanging around a fellars neck down in Texas. It was there when he was writing that and actually he gave me two neck knives. A little KK that stayed around my neck. Coming off only to shower. This little file with the antler handle or the KK are around all the time and are just sharp as can be. Nothing like a gift to make a guy like me take the most tender loving care of a blade that this old dumby possibly can. Like my 12" AK. Even when going out to work one of the bigger blades it goes along in the place of honor on it's own belt.

That deal about the Kobra turned out OK. I was worried that it might be running around loose somewhere but I'm glad that it hadn't been mailed. As long as it was in Sarge's care I know it's OK. Our Postal System doesn't do too bad but we all know that they goof pretty bad sometimes.:)
 
good stuff, Sarge. Love that seax at the top, of course. calls out for carving etching, and inlay...

Keith
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top