knives made from files

[NorthBorder]

I didn't want to hijack my own thread when @Jonny2guns displayed his knife that @hso identified as being made by Anzas. I looked at their website and they do make some beautiful knives. I notice one that appeared to be made from a farrier's rasp. I guess they make a lot of theirs from old tool files. I've been dickering with making knives from old files for a few years now. Here is one that I ground out of a farrier's rasp.

It leaves a nice look to the knife.
This is a real learning experience. I've made several knives from files and rasps but have yet to complete one. File steel is difficult to work with because it is hardened steel. Its really time consuming to grind and sand down the blade. I have only been able to drill holes in the handle of one knife to add scales but I've ruined a lot of drill bits trying. So, this year I bought a small forge to anneal the steel. Now that it is getting warmer I plan to go to the garage and fire it up. I made some scales from epoxy resin and food coloring and some sparkly stuff mixed into the resin. I think when I get to the point where I can add the scales it might look pretty cool.
If you have any inclination to try this you might hit the pawn shops or old tool shops and start hoarding old American made files. I paid $1-2 each. Pretty cheap to start a new hobby.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Very cool!

 

[a_canadian]

I made this little knife out of a dull old file in 2015 or so. The scales are boxwood I cut down locally in 1990, stained and varnished after carving to resemble bamboo.

 

[slicksleeve]

I’ve made a few dozen out of Farriers rasps. Mostly save-edge brand that I get from my farrier. (When you have horses you see him regularly.) He gives them to me rather than throw them away. If you make people a knife along, they’ll keep you supplied.
Put them in your forge until they get to non-magnetic. Then let them cool down on to ambient temperature. Then you can drill holes and file them with a file. I heat mine up until non-magnetic again, then plunge into burnt motor oil. Clean it up good, put in oven at 400 until it turns purple. These hold an edge very well. The thing is, rasps will hold onto organic matter, ie deer blood and fat etc if you actually use them, so they need a washing with soap and water and toothbrush after real use.

 

[DMW1116]

I've made a couple of knives from files. For purposes of smooth cutting, I tend to grind the file teeth off. I also temper the file at 400 degrees F without rehardening. For handle attachment, I've used a MAPP gas torch to soften just the tang, then drilled holes for pins. The tang is heated to a bright red and allowed to cool in air. The edge holding was good, while the cutting ability was limited due to my lack of understanding how to grind a knife properly at the time.

 

[archeryrob]

I made this one from a piece of a farriers rasp. I have a smaller one and these are my skinning/butchering knife. Cherry Burl for the handle.

 

[tubeshooter]

I bought one from a gun show awhile ago (maybe 12 years or so).
A guy had some on his table.

I had heard about them.
Thought it was pretty neat and worth the price.
Something like $20-$25...


I remember thinking that the steel must have been very hard to work with.
Never used it for anything.
Like so many others, it sits in a box.

 

[hso]

the steel must have been very hard to work

You anneal them first so they aren't hard.

 

[DMW1116]

You anneal them first so they aren't hard.

Ooooorrrr, you buy/repair your grinder after each one.

 

[hso]

Ooooorrrr, you buy/repair your grinder after each one.

Nawww, just buy 10 times as many belts! ;-)

 

[DMW1116]

Also that. For sure that.

 

[tubeshooter]

Thanks - goes a long way towards explaining how it could possibly be worth doing for just $20 or so.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Curtis Green makes knives from recycled metal. His favorite is probably cotton gin spindles. IIRC they're mostly stainless steel. I was in his shop in Chama NM a few years ago. I should have purchased one of his knives but couldn't think of a use for it.

 

[JShirley]

I’ve made a few dozen out of Farriers rasps. Mostly save-edge brand that I get from my farrier. (When you have horses you see him regularly.) He gives them to me rather than throw them away. If you make people a knife along, they’ll keep you supplied.
Put them in your forge until they get to non-magnetic. Then let them cool down on to ambient temperature. Then you can drill holes and file them with a file. I heat mine up until non-magnetic again, then plunge into burnt motor oil. Clean it up good, put in oven at 400 until it turns purple. These hold an edge very well. The thing is, rasps will hold onto organic matter, ie deer blood and fat etc if you actually use them, so they need a washing with soap and water and toothbrush after real use.

LOVE the green micarta handled one.

John

 

[slicksleeve]

I made this one the other day with black and white micarta handles. Sold it to a coworker for her husband’s birthday. Kind of wish I could keep it.

 

[NorthBorder]

Definitely a nice blade.