Thread: Fancy File work

hmmm...so a ceramic file seems to be the answer. Just thinking that maybe someone could take a file and put something nice on the NOS Polish razors...just a thought

The Spyderco files are on the order of 1000 - 1200 grit. It will work but is probably slow going by hand. I'd be tempted to find some alumina or zirconia ceramics, such as an insulated electrical standoff, and chuck it in a drill. If you want to cut faster, the alumina grinding bits at Widget Supply http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/...-ao-cylinder-1
are hard enough, but also harder to control.

Rick

When working on hardened steel you really have to watch out for the friction heating the blade. If you heat it up too much you can ruin the temper of the blade. Going slow and feeling the blade to make sure it doesn't become too hot is the best way to go. Patience is a virtue.

Diamond files will work on hardened steel. Standard needle files will get ruined trying to filework a blade that's been hardened properly. It's best to do the filework before the heat treatment, but if attempting to rework an old blade, that's not an option, so you have to use something that can reasonably shape hardened steel. diamonds, ceramics are two workable options.

Thanks Robert, just the guy I was hoping would chime in. Hmm...diamonds (Darling...can I borrow your ring? Just for a moment...what? what am I doing...nothing...)

Carbide burrs, double cut, fine, from jewelers supply in a rotary tool. Also the cutoff disks work. Use a magnafier and safety shield. Doc Molenaar is file working a lot of his heat treated knives with these tools.