Sculpted Bowie/Fighter handles w/ Nick Wheeler

I second the sticky thing about Nick's tutorials! He puts alot of work into these things and they have sure helped me out alot.
 
Thanks guys. :)


Here's Part 5... :)

[video=youtube;mulwJCzj3hg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mulwJCzj3hg[/video]
 
I'm just at the part where you are showing the 6 and 8 inch half round files

I love those files, not just knife making, but general fab work, they are so versatile.

I noticed that they are shaped they way they should be, with some taper towards the point.


I tried buying some replacements locally and it's eithe Nicholson or no name soft China rubbish
The new Brasil/Mexican Nicholsons are made with no taper now.

It really burns me, that makes that file so much less useful.


Anyone have a different source that still makes Half round with taper ?
 
Mental note for me to try some Crossing files.





Nick

It looks like your vise has some wiggle in it.

If you could get that solid, maybe you can save some strokes.
 
Crossing Files are not cheap, in fact they are probably the most expensive files I own but I do love them.

12345678910 said:
Mental note for me to try some Crossing files.





Nick

It looks like your vise has some wiggle in it.

If you could get that solid, maybe you can save some strokes.
Click to expand...
 
You damn Canadians and your inability to use ebay. :grumpy:

HaHa! :p ;)

The half round with no taper used to be known as a pipeliner file. Nowadays, I think they're simply the result of simplified/cheap manufacturing.

If you had to go buy brand new files in a retail shop, and want the tapered half rounds- then some of the big name (BIG $$$) foreign outfits like Pferd and Grobet (they manufacture in the U.S. as well, but simply hearing their name makes me think of Switzerland ;)) will have what you want. But expect to pay through the nose for them. Either of those makers will get between $30-50 each for a 6" half-round. :foot:

I've added a couple dozen files to the shop in just the last couple months...all ebay purchases and most of them ran about $2-5 each.

I would LOVE to find a source for a half round like the one I replaced. It was manufactured in Spain, and it was a crazy good file. I wasn't exaggerating when I said I had used it on EVERY knife I have made for the last 18 years. If I knew a Pferd or Grobet would last that long and cut that clean, then I might pay the $$$ for them.



As far as the wiggle... Yea, there are a couple of contributing factors. The funny thing, is that I don't even notice it while working, I only see it when I play-back the videos. When I get the time/money to lay-out my shop the way I really want it, then I'll be able to address that.
 
12345678910 said:
I'm just at the part where you are showing the 6 and 8 inch half round files

I love those files, not just knife making, but general fab work, they are so versatile.

I noticed that they are shaped they way they should be, with some taper towards the point.


I tried buying some replacements locally and it's eithe Nicholson or no name soft China rubbish
The new Brasil/Mexican Nicholsons are made with no taper now.

It really burns me, that makes that file so much less useful.


Anyone have a different source that still makes Half round with taper ?
Click to expand...

Have you tried Lee Valley? I get my needle files and diamond files from them, and am really happy with them .
 
Been looking back here constantly for the next installments. These videos rule, Nick. Can't wait for more.


Jeremy
 
Willie71 said:
Have you tried Lee Valley? I get my needle files and diamond files from them, and am really happy with them .
Click to expand...

I just had a look and the half rounds are wood rasps, too coarse for me.

NickWheeler said:
You damn Canadians and your inability to use ebay.

HaHa! :p ;)
Click to expand...


Ya, any shipping that is not USPS will add $40+ for brokerage fees and BS, on top of the shipping


As it is, even USPS and low fees would turn it into a $30 file

And what happens when NOS runs out ?

I'll have to keep looking
Simonds lost the taper too in the "American pattern", although they have Swiss pattern half round that come to a very pointy point, I'm afraid of the price with what "Swiss" in there
 
Last edited:
12345678910 said:
I just had a look and the half rounds are wood rasps, too coarse for me.
Click to expand...

I hope this isn't deal spotting. I've used this place for files, rasps and a few other odds and ends. As Nick said. The Grobet's are not inexpensive, but they last and are a joy to work with. Good investment for me. And, they're just down the road from you Count(Mt. Elgin).
https://www.violins.ca/tools/tools_files.html

or, do the ebay thing......

-Peter
 
Here's part 6... (I forgot to mention--- make sure the settings are at 720p to get the best picture possible).

[video=youtube;BEHouX1MxRc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEHouX1MxRc[/video]
 
Great series of videos Nick. Thanks for what you do. Jess
 
Nick....

Of course you have a tricked out disc grinder...lol

Your video series is just awesome.

Thank you very much
 
Double tap...

What the hell is wrong with this forum software?
 
Nick,
Loving the videos. Question about filing G10. Do you find that the glass content wears the files out quickly? Most of my files are Vallorbe, which appear to be a lot cheaper here than $30 (Axminster Tools do the half round 6" for under £7, around $10.50), but still want to preserve their cutting ability as long as possible. I know that HSS milling cutters don't last at all when used on G10. I have shied away from filing it because my files are used on wood and metal as well. Do you keep separate files for different materials?

As an aside, those Vallorbe Valtitan files look interesting, but lots of £/$ :(
 
Nick

I'm not sure I need one, but maybe someday I'll give it a try, what's the diameter and depth of your doughnut dent ?
 
Chris-

Yes... the G10 is hell on cutting tools, including files. It's actually pretty amazing to me, just how good G10 is at dulling cutting tools. :eek: :grumpy:

That 3/8 round and the 6" half round that I was using in the video, will most likely not make it through all 12 Paranee Bowies. It seems a bit silly that you can file on steel hardware and wood handles for years with files and they're fine...but do one big G10 block handle and the files take a noticeable hit. I know some guys keep different files for different materials, but I always just use a file until it's worn out.


Sam- The pocket on that disk is 2-5/8" diameter and 5/16" deep. If a guy didn't do a lot of handles in the style that I do, the doughnut disc isn't something I'd recommend...but it's been very helpful for me.
 
Nick, That donut disc is the cats meow. I do a lot of sculpted handle hunters. This has been a problem for me as well. I have a spare disc that will be going to the machine shop next week.

Thanks for all you've shared.

Bing
 
Hey Bruce! :D If only you had access to a decent machine shop to help you out with that... ;) :D It definitely speeds up some of the finish work. I hope it works out for you too. :)


Here's part 7 for anybody interested... :)

[video=youtube;jbHCsXbtvNw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbHCsXbtvNw[/video]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top