Slipjoint nail file, questions.

[supratentorial]

That looks like a "Curley" patented manicure blade.

Charlie, Is this the Curley patent?
https://patents.google.com/patent/US331869A/en

 

[Gevonovich]

IXL George Wostemholm

 

[Sam Dean]

FWIW, there are several companies that specialize in diamond and abrasive coating - we have it done occasionally at my work. You could finish the blade "blank" and have the file part of it custom coated.

If I was buying a custom to actually use, that wold be my preference. If it was just a pretty thing to look at and talk about, I would prefer hand cut for the artistry.

 

[black mamba]

This 1922-'39 Robeson #722167½ has a standard tang with file serrations on both sides of the file (more course on the nick side).

 

[javand]

FWIW, there are several companies that specialize in diamond and abrasive coating - we have it done occasionally at my work. You could finish the blade "blank" and have the file part of it custom coated.

If I was buying a custom to actually use, that wold be my preference. If it was just a pretty thing to look at and talk about, I would prefer hand cut for the artistry.

I think you'd be surprised at the efficacy of the hand cut file teeth. They are much more aggressive IMO than any diamond would be, if my DMT stones (even xx-course) are any indication. Diamonds have their advantages no doubt, but as with most things, there's rarely anything that's "better for everything".



I made chisels and practiced cutting some file teeth in mild steel, and was very impressed with it. Obviously the technique needs adjustment, as I couldn't get the spacing correct, but I have no doubt this is easily doable. I made chisels with W2, hardened, and differentially tempered, as I suspect they would have been. It cut mild, and annealed hc steel like butter. I also made nail nick punches at the same time. Currently I use a surface grinder with a dressed stone and put my nail nicks in last after finish grinding, but I've always preferred the look of the traditionally cut nicks.

 

[javand]

IXL George Wostemholm

Love this knife, is this a two spring with the large blade riding both springs like in the whittler patterns with or without split spring or tapered divider? I'd like to see a spine shot if so.

 

[ConBon]

I believe Case made a pen blade with nail file. My great grandfather had one.

Connor

 

[Jack Black]

Interesting subject, and I like your approach Javand :thumbup:

I'm a bit pushed for time at the moment, but will try to photograph some of the nail-files on my penknives later. I regularly come across old hand-cut files. I'm hoping to get over to see Stan Shaw this week (among other things to give him a large square hand-cut Crownshaw file). He makes penknife files by hand, so if he's not too busy, I'll ask him about them.

In Sheffield file-cutters were known as file-hewers, or nicker-peckers, hewing being local parlance for cutting, as in hewing coal for example.

You may find these PDFs of interest:

http://www.hawleytoolcollection.com/uploads/PDF/File Trade.pdf

http://wkfinetools.com/contrib2/Twe...he Tool That Made the Tools (18 Oct 2015).pdf

Also thought you might like this

The File-Hewer's Lamentation
by Joseph Mather

Ordained I was a beggar,
And have no cause to swagger;
It pierces like a dagger,
To think I'm thus forlorn.
My trade or occupation
Was ground for lamentation,
Which makes me curse my station,
And wish I'd ne'er been born.

Of slaving I am weary,
From June to January;
To nature it's contrary,
This, I presume, is fact.
Although, without a stammer,
Our Nell exclaims I clam her,
I've wield my six-pound hammer
Till I am grown round-backed.

I'm debtor to a many,
But cannot pay one penny;
Sure I've worse luck than any,
My sticks are marked for sale.
My creditors may sue me,
And curse the day they knew me;
The bailiffs may pursue me,
And lock me up in jail.

As negroes in Virginia,
In Maryland or Guinea,
Like them I must continue
To be both bought and sold.
While negro-ships are filling
I ne'er can save one shilling,
And must, which is more killing,
A pauper die when old.

My troubles never ceased,
While Nell's bairn-time increased;
While hundreds I've rehearsed,
Ten thousand more remain;
My income for me, Nelly,
Bob, Tom, Poll, Bet and Sally,
Could hardly fill each belly,
Should we eat salt and grains.

At every week's conclusion
New wants bring fresh confusion,
It is but mere delusion
To hope for better days;
While knaves with power invested,
Until by death arrested,
Oppress us unmolested
By their infernal ways.

An hanging day is wanted;
Was it by justice granted,
Poor men distressed and daunted
Would then have cause to sing:
To see in active motion
Rich knaves in full proportion,
For their unjust extortion
And vile offences, swing.

 

[stezann]

Hi Javand!
If those micro spacings fight with the desired eveness i would devise a fixed guide for the chisel (so also the angle/alignment is set) and a cross table for precise file relative movement.
I am curious wether cutting an hardened/tempered nail file is feasible...i knoked a couple of chisel cuts on the annealed blank, following this very thread inspiration, and wonder if i could on hardened blank!!

 

[javand]

Hi Javand!
If those micro spacings fight with the desired eveness i would devise a fixed guide for the chisel (so also the angle/alignment is set) and a cross table for precise file relative movement.
I am curious wether cutting an hardened/tempered nail file is feasible...i knoked a couple of chisel cuts on the annealed blank, following this very thread inspiration, and wonder if i could on hardened blank!!

Depends on the hardness I'm sure Stefano, and the chisel (material, temper, geometry, etc). Not sure it'd be advantageous under most circumstances though, with what I'm seeing of the ease of cutting annealed steel. The HT shouldn't be difficult, and I'm aiming to leave them harder than I'd imagine you'd want them to be if cutting them unannealed. FWIW though I've had no major difficulty cutting coining in 50RC springs with a good checkering file.

 

[javand]

Interesting subject, and I like your approach Javand :thumbup:

I'm a bit pushed for time at the moment, but will try to photograph some of the nail-files on my penknives later. I regularly come across old hand-cut files. I'm hoping to get over to see Stan Shaw this week (among other things to give him a large square hand-cut Crownshaw file). He makes penknife files by hand, so if he's not too busy, I'll ask him about them.

In Sheffield file-cutters were known as file-hewers, or nicker-peckers, hewing being local parlance for cutting, as in hewing coal for example.

You may find these PDFs of interest:

http://www.hawleytoolcollection.com/uploads/PDF/File Trade.pdf

http://wkfinetools.com/contrib2/Twe...he Tool That Made the Tools (18 Oct 2015).pdf

Great stuff Jack. I've heard of Stan Shaw, in fact I was just talking to Greg Neely (ABS Mastersmith) about him, pontificating that I'd like to try and make a trip over there sometime soon, check the museums, and attempt to meet Mr. Shaw. Maybe Stefano will put me up in Italy for a few days en route.

Anyway, I'd be very interested, and grateful of any information he'd be inclined to contribute.

Thank you!

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

One thing that I would watch out for, just from your description, is to make sure the file teeth aren't too aggressive. I have to file my nails and fingers multiple times a day as a massage therapist (working class hands have to be delicate and soft now, but they don't realize it!), and have always much preferred the diamond/glass rough style over traditional cut files. If anything is suggest having one side coarse and one side fine. Most coarse finger files I've found on knives are too coarse for my usage!

 

[Jack Black]

Great stuff Jack. I've heard of Stan Shaw, in fact I was just talking to Greg Neely (ABS Mastersmith) about him, pontificating that I'd like to try and make a trip over there sometime soon, check the museums, and attempt to meet Mr. Shaw. Maybe Stefano will put me up in Italy for a few days en route.

Anyway, I'd be very interested, and grateful of any information he'd be inclined to contribute.

Make sure you let me know if you're ever able to get over :thumbup: I'm afraid it's going to be next week now before I can get over to see Stan, but I'll be sure to ask him. He's always up to his neck in work, but he's a lovely feller, and he loves a chat. I have some decent hacksaw blades to bribe him with too :thumbup:

Jack

 

[javand]

I just wanted to update about the video I posted a link to above. It arrived from England today, I popped it in immediately. It's incredible. Anybody that has any interest in this subject, regardless of whether you're going to attempt the task, I'd highly recommend getting a copy. I'm glad someone had the foresight to record the process at least once before there wasn't anyone left capable of demonstrating the art.

 

[average gimp]

Why not buy ready made steel nail files with diamond grit and just modify them to fit your knife? Would be a lot easier than trying to make a nail file. I just cut an old one of my wifes and ground its ends slightly rounded and superglued it to the back scale of my Victorinox Tinker. Works great; not the most beautiful thing in the world, but totally functional (which is my main concern).
Rich

Not to hijack the thread, but could you post a pic? Sounds like a great idea, and cheaper than having a Cadet nail file put into my Tinker instead of the vestigial 2nd blade.

 

[Jack Black]

My trip to see Stan Shaw was delayed by an attack of sciatica, but I managed to get over to see him at the end of last week. Stan is now in his 90th year, but looking well, and still working hard. Unfortunately, they are building a recreation of a 17th century workman's cottage directly above his workshop in the museum. The racket is horrendous (I was pleased to be able to give Stan some ear-plugs), and it was near impossible to hold a conversation. Stan was very pleased with the large antique file I had for him, as well as with some quality hacksaw blades, which are getting increasingly hard to get hold of locally since Eclipse ceased production. I asked him how he makes the nail-files on his penknives. He told me that when he worked in cutlery factories, the teeth were cut by a specialist file-cutter employed there, and that they sent their work to him to do. He doesn't get too much call for nail-files now, but said that he cut the teeth himself, in the traditional way, with a hammer. I hope that's helpful. If I ever get a chance, I'll take pics of the process :thumbup: