Rounding file edges

A

Andy Johnston

Joined
Feb 10, 2014
Messages
189
Hey guys. I've read that when filing knife bevels you should radius the edges of your files. It was saying something about squared plunge lines that I didn't really understand as the article was not written well. I have sense not been able to find the article again to see if I could re read it and get something different out of reading it again so I was just wondering if I could get some more knowledge from the more experienced people that are on here. I have already gained more knowledge than I could have imagined by just listening to what you guys have to offer. Thanks again guys.
 
I don't round the edges of my files, I just knock the teeth of the sides with a grinder, making sure not to heat it up doing so. I don't go all the way down, just enough to knock the tops off of the teeth, to where I can run my finger down the side of it quickly and have it feel slick. That keeps the square edge intact, and a squared plunge line, tho rounding it off would give a nice looking plunge line, methinks. A radiused one.
 
So if I just smooth out the sides I should be good. Thats good to know. I think I might round the edges just a bit though because like you said, it might make for a pretty plunge line. Unless someone else has overwhelming evidence that it is a bad idea of course.
 
Andy, maybe you could either show us the article ( a link for it I mean ), post it, or tell us where you read it so someone can decipher it for you.

In the first edition of "How To Make Knives" Richard Barney, the co-author of that book with Bob Loveless, "safed" files for doing hand filed plunges by grinding flats on various files, grinding a round file in half, or removing one side of a triangular file. Good for getting into tight places safely.
 
If you don't want that area of the file to cut , just grind it off !!
 
I've watched that video a couple times. Built the filing jig too. Probably where I heard about preparing files too, which would explain why I cant find an article anymore. Love it when my brain does that to me...not.
 
They make files with Safe edges, but I don't see any reason why you shouldn't just make your own.

I usually see chainsaw files recommended for plunges. I have a couple of small files as well as a set of needle files. I've only used them once for slightly cleaning up the plunge on the knife I'm working on. I like them, but for better or worse, they are very slow going. I'll probably continue to make my plunges with the grinder, then clean with the files.
 
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