Shamus Blargostadt Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 I have some Nickolson Black Diamond files I picked up over the summer on the rumor they make good blade steel. Do they need to be ground completely smooth before forging? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Depends on you and the types of blades you make. Look up blades and stress concentraters. As they will be a very high C blade I would avoid anything that can increase the risk of breaking. In General I only use them as parts of pattern welded billets--and as files for working on stuff.The pre nicholson ones are 1.2 % C I don't know what happened after nicholson started stamping them as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamus Blargostadt Posted September 29, 2015 Author Share Posted September 29, 2015 Got it. Thank you sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted September 30, 2015 Share Posted September 30, 2015 According to the materials guy at Nicholson, the have used the same alloy for the machinist files for the 47 years he has worked there. He also mentioned that they case/pack harden some to get more carbon into the teeth. The woodworking/farrier files, and rasps use a lesser alloy since they are cutting softer items. When I asked him about heat treating he said that treating it like W1 would be a good choice.I cringe when I see knives with the teeth still on them. I made a knife out of a file, and during quenching it cracked in several areas- all were started on the teeth. Those are hundreds of stress risers in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 30, 2015 Share Posted September 30, 2015 I believe the change from Black Diamond to Nicholson Black diamond predates 47 years by a good while---did he say what alloy they were using and/or the carbon content of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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