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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: skullworks on March 28, 2008, 09:03:00 AM

Title: File work on blades
Post by: skullworks on March 28, 2008, 09:03:00 AM
What does everyone use? Dremel tool? Chainsaw files? Just curious.
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: varmint on March 28, 2008, 09:19:00 AM
I started out with a chainsaw file,found it much quicker using a dremel now.Still switch back and forth depending on pattern.
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: robtattoo on March 28, 2008, 09:22:00 AM
Small needle files & lots of patience!  :D
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: Leftieshot on March 28, 2008, 09:57:00 AM
small round files and polish with a pencil grinder with a mounted rubber wheel.
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: ArcticArcher on March 28, 2008, 10:19:00 AM
Along the lines of file work.  Do you mark certain distances and then do the work?  

I've got a set of files of different shapes.  Just haven't taken the leap.  I guess its like everything trial and error.

Got a new blank cut out and guess now is the time to give it a shot.
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: dorris on March 28, 2008, 04:48:00 PM
I use a dremel but think a file looks best in the end .
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: RGK on March 28, 2008, 05:05:00 PM
Round, square and 3 cornered files. I have bot used the Dremmel very much for detail work.

  (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/perry1.jpg)

  (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/rod1_horn96.jpg)

  (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/rod1_horn92.jpg)

  (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/rod1_horn6.jpg)

  (http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c239/212007154/knives/hawn999.jpg)
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: skullworks on March 28, 2008, 05:27:00 PM
Quit showing off Ron! LOL! Okay...files are the winner and there is no easy way. LOL! Glad you're feeling better Ron!
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: Lin Rhea on March 28, 2008, 07:33:00 PM
This is one knife from different angles. I done the filework with a 1/8 inch chainsaw file, a small triangle file, and touched it up with needle files. This filework is on the ferule, but the principle is the same on the blade spine. The work on the buttcap is done with a hand graver and has no bearing on the subject.
  (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1301/1268850633_8630152692.jpg)
                             Lin
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: OconeeDan on March 28, 2008, 09:28:00 PM
Hard to beat those above done with files, I especially like the detail on Lin Rhea's knife.
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: Lin Rhea on March 28, 2008, 09:52:00 PM
Thanks Dan. I have been admiring the consistant pattern of RGK's filework. I'm sure most is done by eyeballing. I know mine is.

   Point being, this can be done with basic tools and a good eye. If you guys are holding back, please give it a try. When I tried it for the first time, I thought "no way is this going to look good!". I kept adjusting it and refining and it actually looked passable. There is no end to patterns, so you may come up with one of your own.

    In my opinion, though, patterns found in nature are the most pleasing to the eye. Vines, etc.
                              Lin
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: el oso on March 28, 2008, 11:04:00 PM
Lin. It may not have any bearing on the subject, but it sure looks good!
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: LC on March 29, 2008, 10:29:00 AM
"In my opinion, though, patterns found in nature are the most pleasing to the eye. Vines, etc."

 "Lin. It may not have any bearing on the subject, but it sure looks good!" regarding Lins hand engraving on the knife buttcap.

Agree with both of you! However I've tried doing that arrow head file work twice now(really like that look) and ended up with two blades alot narrower in width after grinding it off and filng in a vine pattern! My arrow heads end up looking more like the spade on cards!  :)
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: Lin Rhea on March 30, 2008, 08:51:00 AM
LC,
       What files are you using?
                                 Lin
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: Leftieshot on March 30, 2008, 08:54:00 AM
LC, arrow head look?  Where can I see a pic of thie file work?  Sounds interesting.
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: LC on March 30, 2008, 10:10:00 AM
Heres a link to one type of arrowhead file work but I've seen them done with all the arrow heads pointed in one direction also which I like better.

 http://beknivessite2.homestead.com/arrowfilework.html


Lin, I've been using two sizes of chainsaw files and a small triangluar file. Can't find good small needle files around here might have to order them sometime.
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: Lin Rhea on March 30, 2008, 10:11:00 AM
Here is a link to a tutorial for the Arrowhead filework.
  Arrowhead filework (http://beknivessite2.homestead.com/arrowfilework.html)  

                                  Lin
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: Lin Rhea on March 30, 2008, 10:17:00 AM
LC,
    You must have been posting while I was writing.

   That's one of the better tutorials on filing. If you cant make them look like arrowheads, call it spade pattern.  :)  
                           Lin
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: LC on March 30, 2008, 11:58:00 AM
Yeah thats what I was thinking too Lin! I love that pic of RGK's knife with the playing cards, thought heck I could do some dang nice file work for a follow up pic. Maybe thats a thought, spade, diamond, heart and club file work.
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: LC on March 30, 2008, 12:08:00 PM
Heres a pic that I copied from some site, maybe even here, cause I liked the arrowhead file work. THIS IS NOT MY KNIVES! Some good looking knives though for sure, this knife has been the reason I ended up with two knives alot narrower with vine file work though! lol

 (http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/LCooper/arrowhead.jpg)
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: Leftieshot on March 30, 2008, 11:25:00 PM
Thats really cool, thank you.
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: Emmons on March 31, 2008, 10:49:00 AM
Hey, That is my knife.  I will see if I can did up a better pic.  The idea came from the tutorial that was posted above.  I first made one the same a the tutorial.  Then once I had that down I made all the arrow heads go the same direction.

James
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: Emmons on March 31, 2008, 11:01:00 AM
Here are some pics.

First one.
 (http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a222/JPStangs/DSCN3320.jpg)

Better view of the knives posted above.
 (http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a222/JPStangs/DSCN3709.jpg)
 (http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a222/JPStangs/DSCN3707.jpg)
 (http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a222/JPStangs/DSCN3696.jpg)
 (http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a222/JPStangs/DSCN3695.jpg)

As with all the knives I have made, these are made via stock removal from old files.

James
Title: Re: File work on blades
Post by: LC on April 01, 2008, 09:40:00 PM
Dag on you bowhunterinchile. You want me to try it one more time! Thanks for the updated pics. I love that file work when they are all pointed in the same direction but it just don't blow my hair back when pointed point to point! Either way some nice file work though. lol Thanks for posting the pics.