Question about knives with elaborate file work

E

Exeter354

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Jun 13, 2012
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This may be a stupid question, but I've been wondering about this for a while now...

Aren't knives with file work on the spine more prone to dirt and debris? And won't that effect operation? Are knives like this more for display than EDC?

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It's absolutely stunning, I just wonder if folks actually use these knives or are they better off as a collection piece? I can only imagine the vast amount of pocket lint you have to pull out of something like that every day.

Thanks.
 
I have some file worked knives that are users and some that aren't. i don't notice any additional dirt on mine. Some people love filework, including me, but quite a few knife enthusiasts don't like it at all, which is good because that leaves more for us.
 
These Trappers made by Don Morrow don't get carried everyday. They have been carried and used though. I don't recall having any issues with lint or debris impeding performance. I would imagine if they were used for skinning that some extra care might be needed on cleanup.
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If you do get some lint down in the file work an air compressor is your friend! Beautiful knives gents. OH
 
stupid question: Does the file work weaken the spring(s)?

Peregrin, those look amazing.
 
afishhunter said:
stupid question: Does the file work weaken the spring(s)?

Peregrin, those look amazing.
Click to expand...

Not a stupid question to me. I've never had any reason to think that the filework affects the integrity of the backspring. I'd be interested to know if anyone has experienced a broken file worked backspring.

I'm not sure if the following observation means anything but I'll offer it; In comparing the depth of the fileworked backspring to other custom slip joints I own, it seems like the fileworked spring is deeper by a tad (that's a scientific measurement :)). Maybe the added depth compensates for the removed metal.

Thanks for the comment. I've had both of these for many years. Don Morrow, if I remember correctly, was mentored by Bill Ruple.
 
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Really beautiful knives guys :thumbup: I really love file work on spring for me it makes the knife look more classey :) . .. ..
 
afishhunter said:
stupid question: Does the file work weaken the spring(s)?

Peregrin, those look amazing.
Click to expand...

I have an aftermarket-customized Buck 110 with a fileworked spring, and it came to me noticeably weak in snap. I don't know if it had issues prior to being filed, but it definitely made me wonder. Being that it started just as a standard factory knife, presumably built to some sort of tolerance or QC criteria for the springs (dependent on stock spring thickness), any filing of the springs might've nullified any of that. I'd hope a higher-end custom knife maker would take filing into account while the springs are being made, hardened & tempered. And a skilled bladesmith should be able to limit the location of file marks or depth of filing to limit the effect on the spring tension (hopefully; maybe I'm naive about this). On that note, I do have a custom lockback whittler with fileworked blades & springs, as well as an aftermarket-customized Case Sowbelly in mammoth tooth w/filework; both with no weakness in snap at all (some of my Case Sowbellies have bear-trap snap in unfiled condition, so there might be room to give with those ;)).


David
 
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A King's ransom there Mr. Hanson. I can't even complain too much about them being non-traditional. ;)
 
It looks nice, but (there's always a but isn't there?) I couldn't see the possibility, regardless of how remote, of compromising spring integrity for the sake of aesthetics. IMHO, the added expense isn't worth it.

Captain O
 
Captain O said:
It looks nice, but (there's always a but isn't there?) I couldn't see the possibility, regardless of how remote, of compromising spring integrity for the sake of aesthetics. IMHO, the added expense isn't worth it.

Captain O
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I've never seen nor heard of any spring issues related to file work.
 
Those are some gorgeous examples guys! I really marvel at the skills required to do something like this (not to mention the ability to make the knife in the first place!)!
 
I love file work done well. IF I ever buy a custom slip joint it WILL have file work on it. And No, I wouldn't use it; just fondle lovingly.
 
BigBiscuit said:
I've never seen nor heard of any spring issues related to file work.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry if anyone felt offended. I guess Im a bit of an old curmudgeon when it comes to altering things. "Hot rod" aftermarket alterations, gun modifications, etc. I like my stuff as it comes from the factory, unless it's truly been improved on a professional basis (read: gunsmith.)

Captain O
 
Fan here ... the added texture has a slight functional improvement but it's the artistic enhancement that does it for me. Have owned a custom slipjoint with filework for 14 years and never had any issues with it. This thread got me to look close at it and noticed the liner is file worked, not the springs, keeping the integrity of the spring as intact as possible.

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My favorite example is this Brewer, it glitters when rotated in the light. Noticed Craig has taken the same approach to leave the springs as intact as possible.

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Another embellishment to consider is coining, this example by Todd Davison throws cool reflections on the blade.

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