New Knife I Made Out Of An Old Metalwork File

[SAVAGE HMR]

Now Updated!

[pauldr]

Damn right it is! Well done on that, I'm really interested top see how it turns out.

 

What sort of handle are you planning? Wood or something else?

 

I've bought myself a pair of English Walnut scales to make the handles,

I wanted to go with something with a nice looking grain, they should

look really good when they are oiled.

 

 

Man this stuff inspires me, now I want to make a knife

 

You should give it a go mate, so far it's been quite easy to get to this point.

Better to make something yourself that will last instead of buying one.

 

 

Great write up and looking forward to next installment.

 

On query I had was that I always though files were quite brittle and could snap? I don't know if this is true but seem to remember something about it, does heating up the metal change it and make it stronger?

 

I did think that to but the way the metal is heated has a lot to do with how

brittle it is.

When I first heated up the file I heated it up to 800 degrees or

bright orange then let it cool gradually in the forge.

This heating and cooling process creates carbon on the outside

of the metal which makes it easy to work and more pliable.

I think this is when the metal is at it's most brittle.

I don't know if it would shatter but it could snap if it was put

under enough strain or stress.

 

When I heat up the knife again when all the filing and grinding

has been done it again gets heated up to 800 degrees or till

it's bright orange then it gets plunged straight in to old motor

oil to cool it very quickly. This process creates carbite on the

outside of the metal which is what gives it it's strength.

With any luck this should insure the blade wont shatter.

 

when you heat treat it test it against a magnet when the steel becomes non magnetic thats it done to 800 degrees

[dogfox]

well done to you for going out there and doing it, it looks great!!!