Thread: File Neck Knife

I wasn't sure where to post this, so it's ended up here.

I managed to combine two things I've wanted today. To make a knife, & to own a necker.

I got a worn out ancient file that had belonged to my grandfather as my start point. I deliberately went for one of the old boys files so that I had something hardened right the way through, & so that an old piece of junk that belonged to him had a new lease of life.

I basically ground away everything that I didn't want & ended up with this.

My question for you chaps is......If I kept it from getting hot during the process, will it need a heat treat, or has it likely remained hard?

Keep your eyes peeled for "Homemade Kydex Sheath"!

Oh man, that is seriously cool.

The file makes for a great pre-made grip too! Awesome stuff.

I love how you kept the grooves for the grip and thumb jimps. That is a seriously cool looking knife.

Thanks for the comments! I wanted it to be obvious that it was made from a file, & it made sense to use what was already there for grip. The hole was also there already.

Despite utilising the ready made features, I was amazed how long it took. That's some very hard metal! Keeping the temperature low was a priority, so I couldn't rush it.

I think it's going to be fine as it is, as it's taken an edge you can shave arm hair with. I cut some paper & cardboard, & it still shaves.

woudl think an hour at 400f in a kiln or proper preped oven would temper that to be more usefull
or "blue the spine" with heat and have a soft back and hard edge

but that sure is a cute little necker

Thanks for the advice, Butch. I'll do some reading on it before I attempt anything.

I have even more respect for you boys now. Three hours with power tools to make the thing, & on top of that, I'm so filthy I'll have to soak for another three!

That is a super cool looking knife. As long as it did not turn brown or blue from grinding, I think that it should be good. I would temper it like Butch said and go and see how it works.

That is one of the coolest knife I have seen in a very long while.

Charlie

Cheers Charlie. I am going to take Butch's advice. Done my reading now. I'm going to bake it at 210-220 deg C buried in sand to ensure even heating. I don't trust myself to blue the spine!
Currently it can sharpen a pencil like you wouldn't believe.

the file would most likely be in the 65RC range and with that temper you shold come down to 59-60 and still take a killer edge
the fisrt few knife i made were out of old files so i know how mych the grinding sucked

My grandfathers shop is full of old files that seem pretty toasted, not a one of them cuts anymore... I may have to look into these goodies when I get set up there