Very newbie question

R

rbread

Joined
Sep 23, 2012
Messages
35
I have been wanting to make my first knife for a month or so and am at the point where I just want to jump in already. I have a bench grinder and some hand grinders/cutoff tools to get the rough shape cut. I do not have a belt grinder, but want to do the first one (or several) by hand anyway as I think I will learn more and at the least go slower and can't screw it up quite as fast! So that brings me to which files do I need? I would like to keep it as cost effective as possible for now (I may decide this isn't something I'm as interested in as I think I am). Is a set like this something I should look at

http://www.texasknife.com/vcom/product_info.php?products_id=1058

Or do I need full sized files? I want to do a small fixed blade to start with. Something like Peter Atwoods Booger but maybe a little larger.
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2159/3225/1600/wharnies.jpg

Any help on which files I need would be of great help so I can get started already! I'm planning on grabbing some 440 for this first one. Does anyone have a better recommendation? I will try to document as I go and if it turns out well I'll try to do a WIP.
Thanks!
 
Those little needle files are really small.

I've used some to fix a burred thread, open up a hole, fit a guard but they will not move metal like you need.
I don't think you realize how small they are until you are holding them.
The other issue is that they are specialised shapes.
what you need is a flat and/ a half round file.
i wouldn't buy them.


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/694673-How-to-instructions-for-making-a-knife
Stacy has great instructions here, recommending a Bastard and Second Cut file

but I cant see any length recommendation, maybe I missed it
I would use a 10 or 12 inch file
Bastard and Second Cut file flat shape

Bastard is coarse, Second Cut is finer

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...Id=-1&keyword=file&storeId=10051#.UIT5uKBv9uA
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...Id=-1&keyword=file&storeId=10051#.UIT5oaBv9uA



and a six inch half round.
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=990-3407&PMPXNO=3018947&PARTPG=INLMK32

The half rounds in proper industrial suppliers have a taper towards the tip, the hardware store files don't and aren't as useful, but use what you can.




and read this for jig photos and general info

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1001470-just-starting?p=11399451#post11399451
 
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Thanks for that! Yeah, I saw what a few tutorials about using files, but they don't say which files they used/recommend. I had a feeling the set that I posted was going to be pretty small. Hopefully I can find some files and metal after payday and get started!
 
Filling out your profile will help us help you.

10-12" mill bastard or a magic-cut (These are super) ; second cut; and if you still have a few spare dollars, a finishing file.
 
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