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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: elbow on February 04, 2010, 01:31:00 PM

Title: Making knives from files?
Post by: elbow on February 04, 2010, 01:31:00 PM

I have a couple old files, not many tools, want to try to make a knife from a file, I do have a Dremel tool that I use to sharpen a chain saw. I also have a vise. Is there a dremel attachment i can use to make a file knife? Has anyone done this before or do I need a grinding wheel?

Title: Re: Making knives from files?
Post by: Lin Rhea on February 04, 2010, 02:55:00 PM

elbow,
 Just my opinion, but I would anneal the file and use a new file to shape the knife blade. That is if I did not have a knife grinder. Lin

Title: Re: Making knives from files?
Post by: prarieboy on February 04, 2010, 03:27:00 PM

Hey elbow here are links to four parts of an old school way of making a knife from a file.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ysKd1cswlo
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIvyPxyVKQc&feature=related
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XGnc8mgEBE&feature=related
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBcxo4ojmgo&feature=related
These are what got My nerve up to try a file the first time.
Betcha can't make just one!
C-Ya Bob

Title: Re: Making knives from files?
Post by: JMR on February 13, 2010, 09:56:00 PM

elbow,
I have made a few knives from old files and I don't have many tools either. You can anneal the files and then use a new file like Lin said. I did buy a cheap bench grinder at TSC after I had made couple, but you don't need one.

Title: Re: Making knives from files?
Post by: Ragnarok Forge on February 14, 2010, 01:59:00 AM

Lin nailed it on the head for you.  Anneal the old file, use a new file to shape it.

Title: Re: Making knives from files?
Post by: longbow2364 on February 15, 2010, 07:05:00 PM

Made one without annealing it. I took it real slow, shaped it on top of a bench sander. I used a file that had a long triangle shape to it.  It holds and edge real good, but hard to sharpen. Made the handle out of deer horn, drilled a hole in it and epoxyed the tang into it. Next one I will anneal.  Watched the video's prarieboy posted, they are worth watching.