Making a Dagger out of Old File

Here's a link to a longtime sponsor of my channel, a custom knife shop. Every knife in the store is a work of art.
Also, I'm so grateful to everyone who watched my videos, I wouldn't have these without you.

Well, this dagger took me too long to make, it was not easy to make it so perfect.

Why not use a belt grinder?
The reason is to keep the dagger consistent on all sides, which I couldn't do with a belt grinder.
To be safe, I used simple hand tools to make the geometry. I often use manual tools to work on some details, although it takes a lot of time, the results are satisfactory.

The second turning of the handle, because the proportions were a little off and it was uncomfortable to hold, I changed the shape to get a better fit in the palm.

This time, I added a lot of details to the lathe machining footage. And slowed down the speed of editing. This also leads to an increase in the length of the movie. But the movie is more detailed, and I want your feedback on this way of editing.

Thanks for watching!

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[aivehn]

I made a small dagger from a small file many years ago, and have been considering doing so again. This video has given me some motivation to get to work on that! Beautifully wrought dagger!

[justinludeman]

I was mesmerised by this production, thanks for displaying so methodically the stages of the process. Such a simple and elegant piece.

[TomJones]

I can not even BEGIN to figure how many hours this took! What a GRAND Work of ART this one is! NICE JOB!!!

[michailnaumov]

Дорогое это удовольствие - "...из напильников делать ножи..." (В.С. Высоцкий.) У нас - лет пять дают. И весь станочный парк отнимают. Браво, Маэстро! Сферу на токарном - класс!

[Merc_E]

I started this using a piece of a strut spring i found in a parking lot, 2 propane burners, and a RR track anvil. I got stopped at shaping the blade but your sharpening device solves my problem. Easy to make and will insure the uniform edge i need. My blade's the same but a bit longer and much thinner like a pike so it has to be precise.

Thanks for the upload, very helpful.

[donaldwallace]

It is a pleasure to watch a man work that has your skills and abilities.

[nelsondiaz]

Very methodical. Very skilled. Very creative. Incredible craftsmanship. Very beautiful. -- Thank you.

[davidcadena]

This could be a tutorial on how to make a knife from a file. The guide and etch lines make this a precision weapon. No eye balling here. Measure twice cut once is the theme. Well planned, love the design. Excellent outcome. Well done, Sir.

[kevdimo]

Congratulations on another wonderful piece of art this Dagger is. I’m in awe of how creative and masterful you are at knife making. If only I had the type of workshop you have I’d give it a go at it. Thanks again for your video.

[keiththompson]

that is such a nice dagger it is a work of art thank you for sharing

[davidyoung]

I always hated trying to grind a double edge on a belt grinder, because keeping the two sides even is hard for me. But the jig you use to hand file your bevels is really genius. You can go nice and slow and everything stays even. Just beautiful.

[fightingcock]

I think Mr Fairbairn and Mr Sykes would approve, nice

[jesperth.petersen]

Wow - that was a nice dagger hiding in that file. As a Marine Engineer I really loved to see someone knowing how to work the steel, especially how to understand the use files for the delicate work, rather than seeing someone going crazy with an electrical grinder/cutting wheel, as is the case in 90% of steelwork videos on YouTube 🤨

[shinobikenobi]

Please don't take me wrong. I totally appreciate the skills displayed here, however it's not at all what I expected. The file knife is what the common man with a grinder, a bucket of water, and an oven can do. I've knocked out a few nice ones back in the day. But this man showed that he can do it with every tool you could ask for. When I was a kid I stole my mom's curtain rods and beat them into ninja swords with a claw hammer. But I wouldn't expect to see that on Forged in Fire.

[markhomer]

Wow wow wow .. absolutely STUNNING, FANTASTIC work ..

[artisanmakes]

I love that filing jig. The profile came out perfect for something that is hand filed

[brightargyle]

Man, that is a beautiful knife! I have always loved this style of dagger, almost exactly what I consider the ideal style. I've been using files for knife blades for a few years now, I have been considering a larger project like this, but a bowie with stag handle is next up. I may be looking into making a dagger like this as well, would be a great addition to my collection but no way to do the fluting. Your craftsmanship is top notch and the end result is great!

[ИлонМаск-зю]

Hans, it looks like this video gets into the recommendations.This is very good!I'm happy for you!

[yurilukosjlukosh]

Simplicity beauty and precise workmanship nice

[АндрейНикитенко-фс]

The shape of the blade is competent in terms of load distribution and strength and is good aesthetically.
I looked with pleasure.