Simple File Knife

[tippit]

This plain/simple 7" neck knife is going to a young boy scout as a gift. It was forged from a 3" piece of an old file. It has a safe Kydex sheath with a pop bead lanyard that will open easily if it gets caught/hung up for any reason...tippit

[Pine]

Nice 

[shag08]

Very nice, Jeff! Glad to see you are still making knives. I’ve always loved your style. That knife of yours I bought in the St Jude auction several years ago inspired me to try my hand at bladesmithing. It’s been a fun journey thus far!

[tippit]

Brandon,
Glad to hear you are starting to forge. Show me some of your work.

[shag08]

I’ll post a couple, Jeff. Y’all don’t be too hard on me. But be honest…that’s how we learn. Well…I learn from mistakes most of the time 😂.

First attempt at cloning one for yours from an old file. I didn’t get the shape just right. But the heat treat was good.

[shag08]

Coffin handle Bowie. First attempt at a big knife with a full tang and a guard.

[shag08]

Western style Bowie. Hidden tang, elk antler handle. All the brass was salvaged left over plumbing fittings. I gave this one to my great uncle who was a plumber and electrician for 50 years.

[shag08]

First successful attempt at cable Damascus. That is a BUNCH of work to hammer by hand! By the time I ground to solid steel, there was just enough left for a little wharncliff blade. Curly sassafras scales and cable mosaic pins.

The blade tried to hawk bill on me a little upon the final sharpening. I didn’t bother to fix it. It was just for me and I don’t mind it…I know I CAN fix it if I choose to.

[shag08]

Forged this one from an old buggy spring I found at work where we were loading logs. From the age of the old house and barn yard, I’m guessing the spring to be pre 1900. I guessed it as 1095 and treated it as such. The steel hardened perfect, couldn’t ask for better. So I think I guessed right. Pictured with all the salvaged materials used to make it.

[shag08]

One more. I fell in love with the shape of this little knife when I saw it. So I had to try to make one myself. Ended up making 3. Gave one to my neighbor, one to my brother and did an open give away on a deer hunting site I frequent.

[tippit]

Very nice indeed!! Did you have help from any other bladesmiths? I wouldn't even show you my first couple of forged knives...Jeff

[shag08]

No help from anybody. Read a lot online and watched some videos. Then it was just trial and error. Started with some lump charcoal, a hair dryer, an ammo can full of canola oil and a little Harbor Freight belt sander. My first few were REALLY bad/ugly. And I broke several along the way too. I’ve still got a LONG ways to go!