Who makes good quality bolster area filing guides?

matus

matus

Joined
Apr 24, 2009
Messages
662
I really need a filing guid to get the bolster fit right, but I do not have the tools to make once myslef. I ordered one from brisa.fi and just used it for the first time. To my surprise - the thing is NOT hardened. So it pretty much useless as I am trying to work on already hardened blade, so this guide offers no help.

So - if you guys know of a source for a good quality filing guide I would be very grateful. I failed to find one in EU so far. I would not mind ordeing from US (or elsewhere).

thanks
 
Bruce Bump sells a really good one. I don't know I'd he shops internationally, but it's worth asking. He's a member here in the forums so just pm him, or look for his website online.
 
Thanks for the heads up. it seems like I have just missed a batch of the filing guides Bruce had made. I am about to subscribe for the next one (should take about a month). This cost a little more than I naively expected, but seem superbly made and I have already learned that buying a quality tool is always a good idea.

And I am going to keep en eye on the "For Sale: Knifemaking Supplies & Tools" forum from now on :)
 
They've got them at USA Knifemaker.com and Riverside machine tool and also at Jantz. I think they have em at Knifekits.com too. I've actually got a couple of Bruce's and they are great, but the other one I got from USA or Jantz and it is good as well. You are so right, they really need to be hardened.
 
you can buy the carbide strips from MSC. and just epoxy them on the less expensive A-2 guides .
 
ONeill said:
you can buy the carbide strips from MSC. and just epoxy them on the less expensive A-2 guides .
Click to expand...

I quickly checked, but the right size would be about $50 and then it is still a question how parallel I am going to get them. Buying a well made product is probably the safer way to go. That is what I am going to do.
 
Be aware, that what are generally sold as high end filing guides (with carbide strips) are most useful as belt grinding guides for grinding a very defined plunge line. The carbide strips will quickly knock the sharp cutting teeth off of a new file and render it mediocre, at best.

If you want a guide for filing, I suggest that you purchase a hardened steel filing guide from one of the knife making supply houses. Hopefully, they have enough sense to make them a Rockwell hardness point or two below file hardness which is typically about 60 - 61 Rc.

I have a carbide and metal file guide. I learned quickly not to use the carbide one as a guide when filing.

The cost of quality files are not low. It is best to care for them and make them last.

Mike L.
 
I agree with logem. You can make one pair strips from N690 at about 60 HRc. It's easy and cheap. If You'll make grooves in it just repair it on grinder several times and then change for new ones.
 
Thank you Mike - that is a very valuable info that will save me a lot of unnecessary expenses. Indeed - I only plan to use the guide with files. I thought that the files would just skate on the flat hard carbide surface and would not get 'hurt'. But if the reality is different, than I would indeed rahter go with just hardened steel. I would make my own actually, just not sure whether I can find steel thick enough for that purpose.

And yes - the files I buy in medium size cost about 25€ and I would like them to last as long as possible.
 
I made mine from a angle bracket by cutting off the straight bits and adding bolts and wing nuts. Until I get a Bruce Bump, this is my "ghetto guide".
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This one I have used 7-8 years ago. It was made from old L profile. In that time I hadn't a belt grinder. I've used it for making grinds by angle grinder. :D It is useful but last significantly shorter time than hardened one.

DSCF4596.jpg
 
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