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Author Topic: Files for knife making  (Read 5194 times)

pbigham

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Files for knife making
« on: January 05, 2015, 02:35:01 AM »
What good quality files are available to draw file Knife Blanks? I used to use Nicolsen USA ?
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Offline Curt Lyles

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Re: Files for knife making
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2015, 02:31:16 PM »
 Paul   

      I like Simonds and Heller the best ,someone gave me a bucket full of old file for knife makin stock awhile back and most of them were still good stuff .Wish someone would bring some deer antlers by.  Curt
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Hessian

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Re: Files for knife making
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2015, 10:18:09 PM »
I generally pick up several files per weekend at the flea market.  All Simmonds or old (USA) Nicholson. I usually don't pay more than 1-3 dollars a piece. I was getting them to make knives but lately I've been stumbling on to some real gems. I'm thinking about sending some of them out to be chemically sharpened and adding them to my toolbox. I must have 30 or more. Most of the time I anneal them and grind the teeth off them before forging. It's better to start with "bought" steel. Less work involved. (Time is indeed money) ;)
I really have to get back into my shop and fire up the forge. It's been more or less idle for the last year.

ETA: Boy, I'm really out of it this week! To answer your question, I use a big old Nicholson flat bastard. It cuts good & fast. Leaves a pretty smooth surface. I'm sure it is an older file as most of mine are. It's well over a foot long and between 1 1/2- 2 inches wide. Real thick also, a real meaty file.
« Last Edit: January 06, 2015, 06:38:55 PM by Hessian »
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Offline FDR

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Re: Files for knife making
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2015, 09:38:39 PM »
Send those old files to Boggs Tool for re-sharpening.  They come back better than new.

http://www.boggstool.com/

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Hessian

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Re: Files for knife making
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2015, 05:51:55 PM »
Should I clean them up before sending them?
Some are really crudded up. I have one that looks like it was used to stir paint. Others are really loaded up with wood/metal filings. I cleaned some up by soaking in white vinegar but they flash rusted a little. WD-40?
Hessian
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Offline J Henry

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Re: Files for knife making
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2015, 10:30:48 PM »
  I'd send them as is ,,figuring the company has a procedure they follow for the entire process... I'd  repurpose my "made in ???" for lathe/carving tools and send out my Made in USA for resharpening,,,
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Offline FDR

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Re: Files for knife making
« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2015, 01:47:02 AM »
Quote from: Hessian on January 07, 2015, 05:51:55 PM
Should I clean them up before sending them?
Some are really crudded up. I have one that looks like it was used to stir paint. Others are really loaded up with wood/metal filings. I cleaned some up by soaking in white vinegar but they flash rusted a little. WD-40?
Hessian

I sent mine "as is" and they came back sharp and looked  new.
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Josh Crain

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Re: Files for knife making
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2015, 07:15:41 PM »
I use Nicholson files when I can. Recently, though, I've been making most of my knives from spring steel and rebar.
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