Thumb notches

J

Justin King

Joined
Nov 8, 2009
Messages
1,533
How and when do you guys cut your thumb notches (for those who do)? Before or after HT? Stress risers like this are best avoided during HT from what I understand but if you through harden your blades then they can no longer be filed afterwards, unless you draw a selective temper, and some steels are not friendly to files even then. So that leaves diamond files or a small cuting wheel?
 
I can't answer about before or after heat treat being more correct. I did it before.

I can say that usability and looks are different animals. I used a chainsaw file to do my thumb jimping in alternating angled cuts, and it looks nice, but didn't offer any traction.

I'd be interested is seeing what others do that performs the intended function of traction.
 
C_Kyle said:
I can't answer about before or after heat treat being more correct. I did it before.

I can say that usability and looks are different animals. I used a chainsaw file to do my thumb jimping in alternating angled cuts, and it looks nice, but didn't offer any traction.

I'd be interested is seeing what others do that performs the intended function of traction.
Click to expand...

I found just the opposite Kyle , I use a chain saw file also because I found with pressure applied my thumb does not slide as it did with a checkering file or hacksaw blade . I do mine before heat treat and have had no problems .
 
ONeill said:
I found just the opposite Kyle , I use a chain saw file also because I found with pressure applied my thumb does not slide as it did with a checkering file or hacksaw blade . I do mine before heat treat and have had no problems .
Click to expand...


Interesting, I was just looking at getting a checkering file myself... Now I'm wondering if I should try a few with a chainsaw file before buying one .
 
I've seen a few articles on filework where the work was performed post-HT using some inexpensive diamond files. Looked like it worked out quite well.

The cutting wheel sounds like a good idea too.
 
I don't do it much anymore because those grooves are blade breakers and I'm always afraid some mental case like me is going to take a sledge to the blade... but I used to use a hacksaw before HT, depends on the steel and quench, on air hardening steels you should be fine, Also used a dremel with a disk after HT. Both result in a sharp traction zone which I did not like but my customer wanted. You can also use a diamond point in a dremel, that will put a nice radius in to reduce stress, or the chainsaw file pre heat treat. I like that idea of using the diamond files but I wear out my diamonds so fast it's cheaper for me to make a new blade!
 
Fletch Helical said:
Interesting, I was just looking at getting a checkering file myself... Now I'm wondering if I should try a few with a chainsaw file before buying one .
Click to expand...

part chainsaw file and hacksaw blade .
attachment.php
 
Fletch Helical said:
Interesting, I was just looking at getting a checkering file myself... Now I'm wondering if I should try a few with a chainsaw file before buying one .
Click to expand...

buy both and experiment. I am learning how to use regular checkering tools on shaped scales, there's definitely a learning curve to getting something that looks nice, everything even. But that's different than making thumb grooves.

It depends of the flow of the knife if you use the checkering file or chainsaw file.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top