OK, I just completed the making of my first file knif and everything went perfect following the advice you all gave me.  My question is, when I re-hardened the blade and quenched it it comes out jet black and I think that looks really cool.  Can you leave the blade like that or do you need to polish it?

Forgive me, but I have to ask did you draw the temper back after you quenched the blade?

To answer your question, yes, you can leave it that way. You'll have a black blade with a shiny edge when sharpened. Congratulations on a knife completed. Pictures?

Just be forewarned that the scale can wear away or pop off if it is to thick.  Lots of guys leave part of the blade blackend.  This effect looks really good if you have some forging marks left in the black part of the blade.

Lin,  Yes I actually printed out your instructions and followed them to the "T".  It really turned out nice (for me).  I wanted to put a hickory handle on it with pins and I got it done but I learned a bunch about saving myself some elbow grease for the next go 'round.  I'll take a couple pictures and post them even though it's nothing like the blades you all make.