[jeff92]

Not trying to follow the trend here by making a file knife, but I thought I'd share my little project. I had tried this last summer using the same design, but when I went to harden the knife, I accidentally melted half of it off : So I tried it again and this time around it went smoothly.

It took me about 2 days of combined hours. It's intended purpose is as a camp knife. Shaving kindling, cutting small branches, and that type of stuff. However, with this one I'm going to use it and abuse it until it stops cutting smoothly, to see if my work holds up.

Let me know what you guys think. It's my third attempt at making a knife, and only my first successful one. I'm happy though.

 

[Texas Pete]

Nice Job...With a little practice and a bigger file you could make a nice Bowie. Being a Texan I like Bowies....Many originals were made from files.

 

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Judging from the tape measure you have there I would guess that you used something like a Farrier's Rasp?? Looks like 8-3/8" - 8-1/2" Over all length (OAL)
Looks like a success to me!! Good job!!

 

[sluggyslugworth]

Awsome knife, I really need to learn how to make knives.

 

[hawkbern]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing!

 

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Awsome knife, I really need to learn how to make knives.

Hey sluggy, There are Tutorials all over Youtube, and the knife Forums. You would be surprised at how much you could learn in a short time!!

 

[Smudge]

GJ :thumb:

 

[Combat_HT]

Did you leave the cut of the file on there!? its cool!! and a good idea if you think about it!! great job!

 

[jeff92]

Thanks guys! It was actually a 12" file and I just cut off the excess from the ends. I didn't feel like taking off the file texture. I think it looks cool that way and it provides some grip for the paracord to grab onto.

 

[Brother Bear]

Next time, just for giggles try and take the file texture off, it almost looks like a meld of a flint and a steel knife :

 

[Shadow]

I wouldn't take the file off; you never know when you might have that nasty hangnail:thumb:

 

[pocomoonskyeyes]

On another site I am on, people are trying to figure out the best way to make a knife out of a file, where one end stays a file. If you had both in one handy little package where you could just switch the handle, You would have one pretty cool tool! It does seem kinda' hard to do because of the different tempers needed,but several are giving it a shot! Might be a thought.....

 

[jeff92]

On another site I am on, people are trying to figure out the best way to make a knife out of a file, where one end stays a file. If you had both in one handy little package where you could just switch the handle, You would have one pretty cool tool! It does seem kinda' hard to do because of the different tempers needed,but several are giving it a shot! Might be a thought.....

An interesting idea. When would you use a file, much less a big one like this? For that just carry a multitool on you as well. I've never really liked knives that could do a dozen different things, unless they were a multitool or swiss army knife. However you could always just heat treat the front of the knife and leave the handle at the temper of the original file.

 

[pocomoonskyeyes]

An interesting idea. When would you use a file, much less a big one like this? For that just carry a multitool on you as well. I've never really liked knives that could do a dozen different things, unless they were a multitool or swiss army knife. However you could always just heat treat the front of the knife and leave the handle at the temper of the original file.

Well if it is a Bastard File, you could use it on your Axe or machete.

 

[jeff92]

Well if it is a Bastard File, you could use it on your Axe or machete.

hmm good idea.

 

[Rhino78]

Looks good brother, welcome to the fraternity! Now go build a forge!

 

[jeff92]

Looks good brother, welcome to the fraternity! Now go build a forge!

Thanks. I actually have a forge....of sorts. Built it out of coffee cans, pvc, and a hair dryer. Works pretty good actually, but I'm planning on building a better one.

 

[rob373]

A file that had been tempered might be too soft to be useful for very long. I do like leaving the file pattern on the back side of the knife for grip.

Great job on the knife, I will post up the paring knife that Im making out of a file once I get it done.