Anybody else use a file for knives?

I feel like I traveled the globe working on a method to sharpen my broadheads. Stones, diamond stones, ceramics, Lansky, electric... you name it - I've tried them... in every combination. Press hard... don't press hard... push, pull, drag... One thing I kept coming back to - was my metal file... straight to my leather belt... basically ANYTHING other than that file-to-belt just wasn't helping... and in most cases was harmful. The sad thing is I basically spent the entire process rejecting the results I was getting from "just the file." Basically I was stuck on "it just can't be."

Last night - I took my file to a buck knife... as absurd as that sounds... and hit it 10,8,6,4,2,2,2,2,1,1,1,1 (per side) and then light 1,1,1 a few times... and went to my leather belt for 20 passes. The hair on my arm has never left so easily. I have finally pressed the "i believe button" and am done with other methods/utensils/steps.

Anybody else ever dare touch their nice knives with a file?

File, belt, hunt.

Depends on how dull the knife is Some times a fine stone then stropping

But yes I file knife blades Years ago at a garage sale I bought a box of fine jewelers files all different grits and shapes and angles they work great! That said on knives I always polish the blade after using any form of sharping Stropping smooths it all out and keeps the scratches to a minimum

I sharpen broadheads with a bastard file or 8mm chainsaw file

I use the file on knives when I want to drastically want to change the blade geometry. On the other hand I never let a knife to get dull - I am using a sharpening steel after every use to prevent this.

I always have used a file. Although some blades are hard enough that the file doesn't want to bite. Then I have to use a stone.

I use the file on knives when I want to drastically change the blade geometry. On the other hand I never let a knife to get dull - I am using a sharpening steel after every use to prevent this.

File on a knife is like Lemon in a beer. :( :(. Your knife your choice. I just keep them sharp like said above.

I have no problem getting knives and broadheads extremely sharp with a Lansky kit. I wouldn't use a file on my knives.

I'm interested to see how it works on game. Will likely be using them this weekend. To your point White Falcon... I started with an old knife... met with success... and then progressed "up" my knife chain from there.

W-4 steel has to be seriously annealed and then shaped. Then re- torch to orange color and the tempered 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

If a file does much cutting on a knife blade it is not a very hard blade. Some of the best blades are nearly as hard as a file. I like a knife to be 58 to 60 RC. That is much harder than broadheads. Harder to sharpen but holds an edge much longer.>>>----> ken

Happily, knives are replaceable. Use a file if you need to.

Agree... I didn't get the "feel" that I was taking off a ton of metal during the process... some but definitely not like sharpening my VPA/Zwickeys…

My Leatherman has a file on it. The problem is you cannot sharpen the Leatherman knife with the Leatherman file. I have used a file on a couple of knifes. Some knifes are too hard for a file, and the file shines up real nice in the attempt.

Never use a file on a knife. Never! Get a small diamond hone. Use it for an initial edge and that's all. After that, keep it steeled. Just a steel is all I use after I have the edge profile I want.

Joe

Why?

Jarhead, No reason in removing metal when it isn't needed. Once it's sharp, using a steel or strop will keep it that way.

Got it.

I would never use a file on a knife. I've seen lots of not so old knives worn down to nothing from being filed on.

The only way I can get a knife shaving sharp is to use a good file. Very little metal comes off. I use nothing but a file on my draw knives. I agree with maintaining them with steel.

I've wore enough knives out and during that process I've use a file when the blade taper needed cut done again.

Frisky x 2

I have no problem using a file if I have to to set a bevel on a knife blade.

I say do whatever it takes to get your knives sharp. I have a few knives that I can get sharp and others that I've struggled with. For larger blades I purchased a Ken Onion Work Sharp. It works great and I can do touch-up with a steel between sharpening.

Some folks have a knack, skills, patience, whatever. I don't so I've probably spent a small fortune (well maybe I could have bought a good used bow) on different sharpeners. If you found something that works for you, I'd say do it. JMHO

I'm really old, sharpened many a blade. Now I use only ceramic rods with a guide. However, on a cheap working knife, I have used those plastic thingys with carbide cutters adjusted for a particular angle. Works great for fillet knives and the little hatched we all sometimes carry in the woods. But never a file. Just seems wrong. But like stated above, do what works for you.

On filet knives and pocket knives I use stones most of the Time.

I had a folding knife at work that I could NOT sharpen, and sharpening is something I don't have a problem with.

As a last resort, I broke out a disc grinder with a fine sanding disc...a couple low pressure swipes per side, and that baby was SHARP! Easy-peesey. Lol

I use 'em if they need it. Won't hurt a thing if you do it like you have some sense.

My dad run them across the grinder as needed .always cutting hoses , belts, stripping wires scraping grease stuff like that. I get one of his out occasionally and Cary it. It's your knife file away and get another one when you want to.

Grinders (and files) will take a lot of life off a knife.

Better to use a coarse stone if it needs a new edge, then finer stones to finish. Touch up on the finest stone that works. Touch up *often.*

No, I use stones on good knives. I start with a medium stone and then go to fine one. I try to keep the same angle. Jawge

My Dad would use a bench grinder to "sharpen" his knives. That's how I always knew what to buy him for Father's day. I would buy him his favorite Old Timer pocket knife and he would "sharpen" it during the year. By Father's day, it would be a steel toothpick and I would get him another. It was a tradition.

No, nor would I use a sledgehammer to drive roofing nails.....

It's very clear that there is a great deal of misunderstanding about files, what they can be used for, and how to use them.

Stones. Keep them sharp. Steel or ceramic (old wiring conduit) most of the time or India FB6 stone. Coarser grit if bought in a yard sale and need attention.

I’d never use a file either, a diamond stone is all you need and like others have said keep touching em up and you won’t have an issue. Now if you don’t a diamond will still do the trick it’ll just take a few secs longer

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