How to make and use a filing jig for knife blades.

In this video I show you how to make and use a filing jig to file accurate and beautiful bevels on your blades!

I have used a jig like this to make all the knives I've created so far. It's an inexpensive, safe and accurate way of creating amazing bevels on your knives!

It's very safe to use so it's great for getting younger folk into knifemaking.

The tools needed to construct the jig are:
- Hacksaw
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Electric drill
- Center punch
- 1/8" drill bit
- 7/32" drill bit
- Dremel, angle grinder, bench grinder or belt sander for preparing the file (needed once only)

Materials:
- 1x 11x3.5x0.75" Plywood
- 1x 14.5x3.5x0.75" Plywood
- 1x 10.5x3.5x0.75" Plywood
- 4x #8 Wood Screws
- 2x 1/4-20 Stove bolts, 1-1/2" long
- 1x 3/8" steel rod 36" long
- 1x 1/4" eye-bolt. 2-6" long (ideally get a couple of different lengths)
- 1x 12" Double cut bastard file
- 1x Roll of electrical tape
- 2x 1" diameter screw-type hose clamps

This filing jig can be used for filing full flat grinds, high flat grinds, and scandi grinds. It can also be used for doing convex grinds by doing a faceted grind and then blending the facets together.

[samlecoupe]

It's been 10 years and this video is still one of the most useful. Thank you very much for this content.

[Dreamer]

I know that you made this 9 years ago, but I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire video is for every part of knife making and bevels.

Incredible video. Thank you.

[MWard-zkwg]

No stupid jokes or entree's, no music I'm not in the mood to hear, no verbose sentences and words. STRAIGHT TO THE POINT APPROPRIATE DETAIL. Excellent!

[mattlilly]

The number of times ive searched for simple knife making videos, only to just have this show up on my feed is disgraceful. This has to be one of the best explanations, if not the best, of this technique on youtube. Absolutely perfect for those beginning or wanting to make a one off knife for themselves. Clear, well filmed instruction, build, use, technique and advice. Mate thankyou, well done and very much appreciated.
As for youtubes reccommedation left unsaid.

[Pen_Franklin]

I spent about 30 minutes tonight making this filing jig. All I can say is ... AWESOME! Very easy, and inexpensive to build, and once I got my angle adjusted where I want it I was able to file some beautiful bevels. Thanks so much for sharing this, and for all your other videos.

[josh]

This is still the best video I’ve seen for beginners to get started for cheap.

[MrEternaltattooz]

I love how descriptive this is! I love the patience and care taken in the making of this video. Thanks for the information. Honestly, been doing this for months and I'm really glad I came across this.

[bakdraft]

I built one and used it. It does a Great job. I did however use a 1/4" bronze sleeve and slid it onto the "Stop" screw. This helps the file slide easier without wear on both the guide screw and file. Thank you for such a great video!

[davidfennelly]

Fantastic demonstration! Thank you sir.

[GoughCustom]

@Fireworxs2012 That's not very helpful for the people that want to get their feet wet with knifemaking and don't want to spend $2k on a belt grinder. I have a belt grinder, use it every day, it's not something I would recommend for a person that's new to tools or knifemaking. It took me 12+ blades to nail my grinding technique. Most people want to make 1 or 2 knives for personal use, not point buying a grinder for that.

[shonaoneill]

Dearest Gough, this is a wonderful channel. you are very kind and knowledgeable. Thank you for sharing your invaluable information, you truly are a kind person.

[IgaTengu]

The best jig for making knives, made mine last week and it takes all the guess work out of the angle. Thanks for the how to vid, this should be watched by anyone who want to get into making there own blades.  I even used this jig to make a 15in sword blade!!!

[steveocvirek]

I want to thank you once again for this video. Yes I have a 2x72 belt grinder, but this jig allowed me to make more accurate bevels than what my skill level could allow on the belt grinder alone. To me, the grinder is great for stock removal, but for accurate, consistent bevels, this jig allows me to slow things down and make the final cuts precise. I did an arrowhead shaped dagger with 4 scaled holes down the center of the blade. Then both sides were cut so the center bevel line was able to go straight down the center of each hole. Very accurate, controlled cutting with this jig. I could never do that on my grinder with my abilities. Furthermore, my co-worker seen it and built the same thing because he cannot afford to buy / make a 2 x 72 grinder. So THANK YOU again!!! I (we) so appreciate you making this.

[markybob_bassplaya]

Now it has been 11 years since this video came out, still awesome! Just Built mine, WORKS AMAZING! Thank You!

[Munisk]

This was most useful tutorial I've seen in months, thank you!

[Zackfish]

This was incredibly helpful! I’ve seen jigs like this in a lot of knifemaking videos and this really clarifies how it works. Plus you went the extra step to explain how to use it and some helpful tips. Thanks so much for this video!

[NuManXplore]

Great jig!! Loved the comment about the "cheap 40 dollar belt grinder" being no good for grinding bevels. That certainly is the truth. I have tried multiple times and got nothing but junk...then I found this video (via Sugarcreek Forge) and built your jig. I "fixed" one of the belt ground blades and look forward to doing a complete blade with it, when I get more steel. Thanks for posting this!

[davescarpetti]

Making the plunge line using that screw as a stop and reducing the corners on the file, just brilliant. Thanks, so innovative.

[jacobdavis]

Aaron, as i'm sure you are well aware, this file guide has set the amateur knife making standard for the hobbyist when first considering bevel grinding. I have several friends who have referenced this video in length when we talk about "getting started" making knives. All of whom don't have access to my subscriptions and have done the research on their own. Ive also seen reference to the "Gough jig" on many forums since this videos release. This tutorial is excellent and has helped tons of folks. For that I salute you

[nightrider]

They built the same jig from washing in this video and it serves me flawlessly over the years.