WOW Draw filing!!!!

[ApprenticeMan]

WOW draw filing is great!!!!! I have been using a file SO SO wrong all these years! I always had thought filing was a slow and tedious boring process, but it turns out only because i was not doing ir properly. Draw filing is where you hold the file perpendicular to the work (in this case of course a blade) and just stroke back and forth as you would like a draw knife except you cut on the push stroke. It moves material VERY fast (must be careful!), and very precise as well. I was working on the cutlass/yataghan/yatlass on the grinder and was like "ok, here we go, breath, please don't make this another blade to the scrap pile sacrificed to the gods of learning" and was grinding slack belt near the tip where it is a diamond cross section and lost concentration a bit and rounded the nice sharp ridge line RIGHT over. I went back and forth and got it to crisp up again but not nearly as good as it was. I had never given a real chance to draw filing to see just how well it worked but thought it might be able to save this blade and went to work. WOW brought that ridge right back right quick. It worked so well I figured I try it out on the rest of the blade and just went at it, it was even fun! If you haven't tried it yet, or are not to confident on the grinder (or don't even have one) give it a try it'sa great technique, really gives you a feel as well for angles and such.

Draw filing FTW.

[LDW]

I watched Jim Batson draw file on a Bowie one time and I was equally impressed. He also mentioned that the smaller the file the finer the cut. I did a search on draw filing and included Jim Batson. This link goes to a news letter that has an article on how to draw file. It seems informative.http://www.ncknifeguild.org/newslett...7_03-March.pdf

[welder19]

There are a lot of people who don't know how to use a file properly...and most think they do.

welder19

[markb]

I've had a lot of trouble with grinding blades, so went to the files, nice and quite lots of control, you can feel the steel coming off, kind of like planing wood by hand.

My poor grinding is due to dull belts, not enough practice, and lastly poor equip. For years I've wanted a quality grinder but hesitate to get one because I feel like I haven't paid my dues, or don't deserve it. I asked Joe Kious how he made such a perfect dagger. He said use lots of files. So until I can make a respectable dagger with files I don't think I'll spend the money on a grinder, unless you decide that you really really like filing, then I'll take that KMG off your hands

Mark

[ApprenticeMan]

Here is a shot of my little filing setup, that is a farrier's anvil stand with a spring loaded filing vice. If you have not seen or used one of these vices, they are a VERY useful tool that is not utilised as much as it could be in other smithing aspects of smithing than horse shoes. That stand ROCKS. Hammer holders, tong rack, tool tray with a small parts cup, the anvil is clamped to the actual stand or you can clamp other tools in there (like a drill press), the spring vice, and it EVEN folds up for easy transport. If you think that little spring vice doesn't hold things tight enough, stick your finger in one .

[Finnr]

I learned draw filing WAY back when I was into building muzzle loaders. Fastest way I know to smooth a barrel and get nice sharp flats.
Finnr

[Bentiron1946]

A way back when we first got out of the bronze age and into the iron age they had a thing called metal shop in high school. It taught you all of the necessary things to do just a little bit of proper metal work, filing, drilling, forging, casting and the use of machine tools. Now in this the computer age all this kind of work is supposed to be done overseas. The average American is not supposed to get his hands dirty and if he needs to know how to do something he is supposed to learn it from his computer. Well I guess Sam has done a couple of hands full of teaching here. Thanks for the lessons.

[keykeeper]

Wow Sam, thanks for the info. on drawfiling. I didn't understand until I saw the pictures, now I do. Nice little drill press, too. So, is it awkward to work with your leg up, pressing down like that, while sitting?

[ApprenticeMan]

Aaron, honestly it is more comfortable than it looks. The blade is supported from springing all over the place by resting on my knee and you can just lean forward and go at it. The chair is tilted forward as well.


Mark, don't ever feel like you have not paid your dues, everyone beginner or master deserves good tools.

[jayco]

Sam, that spring vise caught my eye.
Quick grab/quick release tools are very handy for both metal work and wood working.
Looks like another idea for me to steal.......I mean BORROW!