Making Simple Marking Knives from Old Metal Files

Today in the shop we are following up the complicated process of making the Kukuri in our last video, with the super simple process of making a woodworking Marking knife out of an old metal file.
If you have an old rusty metal file and a grinder you are in business. The great thing about this project is that you do not have to do any heat treating. The files are already heat treated to a high hardness which is great for a marking knife, but tough on your grinding belts. The key is to take your time grinding and be sure not to heat up the blade, to avoid loosing the hardness temper. If your steel turns the color purple or blue, you've lost your hardness and need to grind that out.
I show you how to trim down the file to the size and shape you want, trim and shape the tang to have a spot to drill a lanyard hole, then mark and grind your bevels using my 2x72 grinder with the tilting tool rest and platen. Having the ability to tilt both of these gave me the set up to grind my bevels perfectly while resting the blade flat on the tool rest. After grinding the bevels to 220 on the belts, I began customizing the shape of each knife to fit mine and my brother's preferences. I smoothed all the sharp edges with the scotch bright finishing belt, and then hand sharpened both knives with 500 and 1000 grit sand paper on my 12" square granite tile.
I'm really happy with how these turned out and love both versions. Let us know in the comments which one you prefer. The great thing about these, is that now we have a great tool which will aid us in continuing to get better at, learn more about wood working, and eventually timber framing.
Check out our podcast, The Art of Craftsmanship, on the Makery Network, where we talk about making things, shop tips, fun stories, and KZbin content creation here...
www.makery.network/show/the-a...
If you are interested, please follow us on Instagram @theartofcraftsmanship and @theartofcameraguy to see what’s happening in the shop on a daily basis, and catch sneak peeks of our up coming videos.
To those of you who feel like you got something special from our videos and want to know how you can support us further, check out our Patreon page here... / theartofcraftsmanship

[@B.A.Bassangler]

Loved that magnet handle, time to shop for a new toy...tool!

[@1DaramG]

Love them both. Keeping the original makers stamp adds so much character too.

[@hijakd6915]

they became magnetised because of the single direction of grinding, the friction causes electrons in the metal to align magnetically, the magnetic holder would help do that a little too, but that would be more of the case if you remove the holder in a sliding motion multiple times.

[@paullyons7621]

Well, the effect of the magnetizing is certainly to align the electrons, but the mechanism operates at a somewhat higher level than that. Within the steel there are micro-crystalline 'domains' in which the atoms are arranged into a regular 3D grid. Each domain is magnetized, because of this regularity, but the domains are randomly aligned, so the different directions of magnetization cancel each other out. When you heat the metal, the domains are more free to vibrate and slide around than at room temperature, and if there's an external magnetic field, they tend to align with it. When they cool down, the magnitude of their vibrations decreases and they stay in that alignment, although the reduced amount of vibration at room temperature, coupled with the repulsions between adjacent North and adjacent South poles tend to push the domains out of alignment, so the magnetization decreases slowly over time. When you heated the metal by grinding it, the external magnetic field was supplied by your magnetic holder, but the earth's magnetic field has the same effect, albeit a smaller one. When ships were made of rivetted plates, the impact of the riveting hammers during the assembly process jostled the domains in the iron, causing them to align, and magnetizing the ships. Amazing what you remember, more than half a century after leaving school.

[@lukacsnemeth1652]

not friction magnatization, they were magnetized by the holding magnet when he was flattening the files on one side.

[@OORAH659]

Now I know what to do with all my old files ... your technic is fun and not that hard to learn. I will be using other files to shape the knives ... We The Few appreciate you taking the time to teach us ... OORAH!!

[@CameraEd1]

Those are lovely. I like the one with the finger cut outs best. I really like that you left the old Nicholson maker's stamp on them.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks Ed.

[@MrHowieZ1973]

That old file was just laughing at that bandsaw. lol

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

True

[@chetleonard169]

I like that small bench drill press. good size.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks. I need to build a stand for it to get it off of my bench, but I do love it.

[@davestelling]

Afternoon, Dustin... We all admire your work, but I'm also admiring your shop. No-nonsense, traditional & functional basement workshop. I've never been so happy and satisfied as when spending time in my shop...

[@Karpe_Deem]

At 10:52, I was hoping you'd say "Both of them are done, they are looking really _SHARP_ " 😂

[@philholman8520]

It was a pleasure to watch you work on them. Art? Without a doubt! Craftsman? Yes, you are!! They're Beautiful! Ace!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks Phil

[@essextwo]

As a typographer, even though it wasn't flashy, I just thoroughly enjoy seeing people write their own title cards. Cheers. The video was super helpful as well 👌

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks. I really enjoy making by the intro drawings

[@JoZf_Gibson]

Merci

[@Bdbrad71]

Don't have a favorite i like them both great job

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks! B-rad IS rad.

[@aneerenb]

thank you much. looks like a good rainy day destress project :)

[@dougfairburn2037]

original cut before the extra design is perfect. kinda looks like what came outta the Jokers boot when he was fighting Batman.

[@Aleeknives]

Man that kukri was sweet! This is a really neat idea for somebody just starting to get into knife-making it doesn't have all the equipment yet! A+

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks brother

[@sudo_nym]

Agreed. It’s a favourite build of mine on this channel 👍🏻👍🏻😎

[@michaelhedgepeth5106]

See, ...Damn, that's scary . Sorta, just by reading ya comment an Knowing how my pea brain thinks, well, we was thinking nearly the same thing in a sense 👍

[@blueoutside3394]

My grandfather worked for Nicholas file. I grabbed them up any time I come across a u.s. made one. Maybe he touched it 50 plus years ago

[@MarkusWITH_a_k]

Nice bevels on your knives

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you. Having the correct grinder set up helps tremendously.

[@sherwinpalacio3227]

Very informative!

[@dbrown1576]

I have a ton of old files I can make into these. Nice job. The heat and using strong magnets to grind them magnetizes them.

[@TyrellKnifeworks]

I need one of these... past time I made one I guess! Nice build, Dustin!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Heck yeah brother. Do it.😁

[@timjohle8876]

More niceness Dustin. Knice work.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank Tim

[@fumblingninja]

couldnt have timed it more perfect, #I found some old rusty files in the ccollection of tools I got from dad. another great video from AOC

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you Ali. Send us a pic if you make one.

[@ggbuck2625]

Love the finger groves.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

They did turn out fantastic.

[@tinsoffish1810]

Impressive would be making files from old rusty knives.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Lol

[@jimstillwell4668]

Cool project

[@Miguel_ON65]

Hi Dustin, my hero!! Jajaja. Just a new video from the MASTER. Congratulations for this new job! Greetings from Madrid.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you so much Miguel. Next time I’m working on a bow I’ll be thing of you😉. I appreciate the compliments as always.

[@Miguel_ON65]

@@TheArtofCraftsmanship Great Dustin. It is a big detail from you!!

[@fnordhorn]

The one with finger grips would be the one I like

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

I’d does feel great.

[@danielmiller2886]

Seems like a good way to make throwing knives too!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

👍🏼😁

[@danielmiller2886]

I really like those little task lights you have.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks. They are great and super cheap.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07ZNR9JCT/ref=psdcmw_1063292_t1_B012C240BS

[@danielmiller2886]

@@TheArtofCraftsmanship thanks!

[@KillingerUSA]

Those turned out fantastic!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks Chris!

[@kennetik61]

beautiful tools...thanks for sharing!

[@radnazona3979]

That's amazing.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you brother.

[@Richard-wk9le]

Just did the very same thing only I used a old cheap chisel complete with handle. Great idea using a file.

[@clarklindquist8137]

The pieces of file not used can be used for flint and steel too. David West KZbin channel has done a great video on how he did his.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Definitely. I have so many.

[@williamknapp9497]

Bad ass blades bro

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks Will

[@williamknapp9497]

No thank you!! I have learned so much from you on your Chanel, great job!!!

[@judithwright5084]

Wow love them both

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks Judith. I do too.

[@ChristopherSalisburySalz]

You always do really good work. You pay attention to the little details which is often what separates amazing from adequate.

[@rickeybullington68]

I really do like them .I've made knifes out of files . I have been making fix blade knifes now for 6 years and love making them . Great job you did on them .

[@Clarkson350]

Enjoyed the video. Your led light is awesome! Both are good

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thank you

[@seeingthepattern]

A simple project (after that insane kukri) but producing two beautiful marker knives. I’ve made a couple of these with small warding files (I don’t have a belt grinder yet). Love to watch you work whether it’s a simple or hard project. My preference would be for Devon’s version.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks Earthdog!🙏🙏

[@58dunc]

Beautiful mate. Love the finished product. Now for all those old files I have in stock 😂. Thanks for yet another great video. take it easy.

[@nolanpeter2748]

I like both!

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Me too. Thanks Nolan.

[@ZyKnife]

An excellent work ⚔️👍

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks

[@RedBeardOps]

Love it man! I foresee this video doing very good! Cheers guys! 🙌

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks James!!

[@bocheef]

Where do you guys get those magnets to hold your files while you grind ? Been looking around and can’t seem to locate em. Cheers guys awesome work 👍🏽

[@tonyn3123]

Great final product. Congratulations.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks Tony. They are fun.

[@chuckfinley7940]

Very nice

[@Defender110SLO]

Top will copy one. 🍻

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

🍻🍻🍻

[@Mr_Rick]

I like the one with side finger grips best.

[@edro3838]

Great video! However, I’m still looking forward to you making sheath for that beautiful kukri from last video. Keep em coming I enjoy watching!

[@davestelling]

Very neat, I think I might go ahead and cold blue them black... (?)

[@boatbeard7767]

Some files are only surface hardened, but with a relatively softer core. It's a bit of a gamble but as long as you check - older ones can be case hardened just as often as the newer induction hardened ones I have found. Cheers from Oz.

[@OtterLakeFlutes]

I assumed my existing tools (and patience level) would heat files up enough to lose their temper. But now (for lathe tools) I have a slow speed grinder and an Al2O3 wheel that keeps things cooler than high speed Al2O3 wheels (albeit it wears faster, even being slower, guess sit's part of staying cooler). So you just made me realize I'm better off now for playing with file knives. And I'll just be careful like you with the sander.

[@gssmith1986]

Amazing work. An adequate alternative is about $18 on amazon. I know there is joy in the making though, so put your own value on that.

[@SergeiPetrov]

The marking knife has one side completely flat. Its flat side can be attached to the faceplate without any gaps.

[@rogerschamaun8165]

Hi Dustin. My name is Roger. Loved your video. Your shop is almost as cluttered as mine. You are getting product out of the door. That's what is important! Some guys have a shop so clean that a guy could eat off the floor. But are they getting anything done??

[@mikeherbst1825]

I love the intermingling of classic machine tools & current materials, supplies & techniques. Very nice.

[@jamessotherden5909]

I really like the one with the finger grooves. Nice simple project, Thanks.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Thanks James

[@daos3300]

a high carbon piece of steel can be magnetised by working it (essentially striking it), which rearranges it's atoms slightly with each hit. grinding/sanding is essentially a rapid repetition of tiny hits.

[@ebayylindy]

Second here. As soon as it came up i got on lol🤣 Maybe you should start a gaming channel like me and gabe. It would be awesome to finally have an adult in the GAO gang ya know wat i mean

[@ebayylindy]

its Lindy btw

[@gaogamers5335]

Nani

[@Donlewis4683]

Philadelphia checking in. I know Buckin wanted some heads forged I was wondering if he ever reached out to you. It was good to see you on his live feed. I think you guys would be great collaborating.

[@ChristopherSalisburySalz]

The countersinks you did turned out nice and even. I often get a jagged look to my countersinks when using a countersink like that. Do you run the drill at a really low speed? Or high speed? Light pressure or heavy pressure?

[@bentontool]

Very nice work, but I would grind the bevels LAST... that spear-point would make me a bit nervous whilst doing all that grinding on the "handle"...

[@liquidstar9]

the magnetizing was due to the magnetic holder's field being conducted in the files while also heating the files up then quickly quenching. although it can also be induced simply by the way they're introduced into a magnetic field. you can mess with compass needles the same way with a decent 2"x1"x3/8" ceramic bar magnet, you can strengthen and weaken the needle, flip its field, and if careful, remove it. the trick is approaching and leaving the equator, not the poles.

[@daos3300]

it's the sanding which magnetises the metal, not the magnetic holder which is negligible, nor the heating.

[@liquidstar9]

@@daos3300 you're very right that even sanding itself can magnetize things. a belt sander is essentially a Van De Graff generator. did you know that if you spin a copper bar fast enough it develops its own magnetic field? but the heat can and does play a part too, though at least with soft iron and some steels this isn't the biggest player, and usually you need to have it in the presence of another magnetic field. and in the case of soft iron you really only require a magnet to induce a field. that's what a compass needle is.

[@CamsWoodcrafting]

the one with finger holds

[@ChristopherSalisburySalz]

Your brother does a great job with the videography. KZbin videos are almost as much about the video quality as they are about the content. I've seen KZbin videos with really informative content but the lighting and editing (or lack thereof) make it really hard to watch them.

[@silasstrathmann2066]

If you want to contain the heat in one spot, just clamp it in the vise, it will act as a heat sink

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

That’s a great tip. Thanks

[@dougmiller8099]

Awesome video Dustin. Thinking Devon and you should switch places for 1 video 😂

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

See who notices. Lol

[@jackofalltrades7822]

They became magnetized because you used a magnet to hold them to flatten one side. The same. Reason screws are magnetized after using a magnetic screw gun bit. Nice work.

[@Stefanhallusa]

This👆

[@jimstillwell4668]

Your totally right. I forgot about the magnet. Also I have found that the static from grinding belt will do the same, but it’s not as powerful. Good call.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Totally true. It’s just never happened to me before. The novelty of it was fun.

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

It can also happen due to friction - drilling through steel, you'll often see the shavings become magnetized to the drill bit, the piece you're drilling, or other steel objects. But yeah, magnets will totally do that.

[@danielbackley9301]

@@jameshaulenbeek5931 Yep and that why most machine shops have a demagnetizer.

[@johnjude2685]

QUESTION Sir What is your recommended "new" steel for knife building in a non professional shop and cooking oil for quenching?

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

I’d go with 1084, and quench in warm Canola oil. It’s a very user friendly and high quality steel.

[@brycekennedy7580]

Do you think this would be possible with just a bench grinder and an angle grinder?

[@jdealing8749]

🔥👍🏼

[@valborchardt3596]

Greetings from South Africa. Oh man Dustin, those are amazing. Love Devons one but they are both awesome.....how do you stop them from rusting again? Take care and be safe

[@RaspyOB174]

Any Oil and/or Paste Wax. All readily available at local hardware store

[@RaspyOB174]

Of course Oil and Waxes do wear off and need to be maintained with further applications. You could also Epoxy, Polyurethane, clear enamel or clear powder coat or clear ceramic coat then resharpen to reveal the point. Would maybe last longer but would have varying non metal feels to them and destroy the usefulness of the file. You would want to wax or oil whatever portion of the plastic coatings that you've removed as well.

[@davidyoung353]

Is that a Sprunger drill press? I have an old one I got from my uncle If not, it sure looks like one...

[@dameongray6412]

Hey just a tip I learned the other day a vinegar bath helps remove rust not sure if its 100% true but worth a try to see if it helps

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

It’s definitely true. It will also remove any patina that’s on the surface, so if that’s important to you, avoid vinegar.

[@liamr6672]

That welding magnet you used to hold them is probably why they are magnetic now, along with the heat from friction. You can test this by rubbing a pin or needle with a magnet in the same direction of a bunch of times and it will become magnetic. Then you can float it on a leaf (or bit of orange peel) and it will rotate to point North.

[@Janosch_on_fire]

this old tony has bought a small electric demagnetiser, looking forward to that too. i dont quite like the idea of sending my costumers knifes, that collect mettal dust

[@RaspyOB174]

Yea there are cool easy and cheap ways to DIY demagnetize as well!

[@Janosch_on_fire]

@@RaspyOB174 for example letting the knife drop several times ore smash it against an walk 😂

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

That’s a good point.

[@michaelgray7767]

Don’t take this the the wrong way my friend , I love your work but I also have a huge man crush on your beard. 😊

[@patraymond4863]

What is the bit you used to countersink the lanyard hole

[@jacobfrazier529]

Hey there!

[@ChristopherSalisburySalz]

They magnetise because the midichlorians within the chemical structure of the electrons rise to the surface and search out for other midichlorians.

[@dougdaniels]

Very nice work. What is that magnetic handle you use while sharpening?

[@RaspyOB174]

A welding magnet! Available in welding supply sections of hardware store

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

These are great little handled magnet I get from harbor freight. www.google.com/shopping/product/7940545139898128400?q=harbor+freight+magnet+with+handle&client=safari&hl=en-us&biw=375&bih=553&tbs=vw:l,ss:44&prmd=sivn&sxsrf=ALeKk02_G_sE8VS5H_xJPB2gsWCtUeyHsg:1615243331724&prds=eto:13474008259769739706_0,cdl:1,prmr:1,cs:1

[@nsmith2908]

Where did you get the red magnetic thing you used as a handle to sand the teeth down with?

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Harbor freight. Just a few dollars.

[@sudo_nym]

That’s an awesome grinder Dustin Can you tell us where you got it? Who makes it? 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Yes sir. It’s a 2x72 Revolution grinder from Brian House, at Housemade.us.

[@sudo_nym]

@@TheArtofCraftsmanship Great stuff 🙏🏻👍🏻 Thanks for answering 👊🏻

[@themeat5053]

Hi, I have an 8" bench grinder and a 6" polisher. I can't seem to find a wire wheel with the correct arbor anywhere. Can you tell me where you get yours? Thanks.

[@willemmentz7190]

Great video! Now, how would the common man make these without the belt sander?

[@neila9251]

Angle grinder

[@DozeyDragoN]

I like the straight one more, but the rear is not mine, what the hole?

[@JohnSmith-gs4lw]

I bet you could get some kiridashi-esque functionality out of those. Maybe cutting thin leather and such. I’ll tell you what I use for marking dark steel or heavy rusted steel. Get the metallic silver sharpies. The light silver ink (paint?) shows up much better against dark material than black or blue ink. They are a bit more expensive than a regular sharpie, but not as bad as paint markers or silver pencils. But hey, what am I telling you for! Didn’t you go to art school?

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Great tip. I’ve made similar process Kiridashis in the last.

[@gw5436]

Mate great work but please get a face shield, those wirewheels fling off wire at 1000kmh and go right through eyes.

[@girthbrooks39]

You ain't kidding! That wire completely ruined your eyes dude.... I know you couldn't see it however, he was actually always wearing eye protection whilst using every machine in his shop.

[@LancsManDoes]

Haha I know what you mean, I learned the hard way getting a peace lodged in my eye just below the pupil. One it hurts like hell and two it not great having a doctor come at you with a scalpel saying “stay right still”

[@gw5436]

@@LancsManDoes Hope you still got your eye ok mate!

[@michaelhedgepeth5106]

I'm almost to make that step...to begin a little forge an metal work of my own. Always wanted to since working the farm with my Papa Many years ago. Something would break and off to the smithy we'd go...just never took the time

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

That’s great. What a great memory.

[@DaedalusProps]

May I ask why you didn't anneal the section you wanted to cut first?

[@RaspyOB174]

Such a small section on a small tool. You don't need to anneal in this situation. Much Quicker to grind while hardened and no risk of warping

[@RaspyOB174]

Plus the hardening process done to Files is much harder than you will get on your own hardening process. Add with the chance of warping the knife during this heat treat and it just doesn't make sense to go through all of that. Grind with cooling dips and just get it done quickly (: Good Job

[@chrisholton7353]

In before the people whining that a relic was destroyed.... Nice work as usual, sir.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

😂😂😂

[@UndeadMaggotsArmy]

Where can I get the light he uses on the bench vise?

[@chrisholton7353]

Amazon. I just recently got one myself.

[@UndeadMaggotsArmy]

@@chrisholton7353 thank you

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07ZNR9JCT/ref=psdcmw_1063292_t1_B012C240BS

[@murphymmc]

Nice little project. The lanyard holes are not needed for any woodworking tool so I'd pass on that feature. The 1000 grit would be a minimum finish. Marking knives are usually taken to the grit of my chisels and planes. 6000 and 16,000, and yes, you really do notice a difference.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Wow. I hear ya. Sharper is always better. Thanks.

[@bobmyrick3564]

Howdy Sir, Would it be possible to get a # so I may send you a picture of one of my creations?. I'm sure you'll get a kick out it. Thanx Robert

[@southernblueblood5402]

A project anyone can do as you use your $1500+ 2x72 knife grinder. I would be more impressed if you used hand tools the average person has to complete the project.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

That’s also a good idea. I’ve got other videos using hand tools also. Thanks for watching.

[@southernblueblood5402]

@@TheArtofCraftsmanship I watch your videos and have been a subscriber for a long time. I will continue to watch your videos because I learn many techniques and get ideas, keep the quality videos coming. 👍

[@okme6998]

There not that old of files the black diamond is new stuff and it can be casehardend so you might need to Harden it anyways

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

You may be right, but these were definitely through hardened.

[@eneskdk5543]

don't you know file makes your band saw dull witout any softening.

[@rosswitte]

Get a piece of wood and use them to practice your knife throwing. Those should work great for that.

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

Not a bad idea Frank.

[@user-lq2gy2cm1s]

高手在民间

[@nathanodle8039]

Where do you get all of your files?

[@TheArtofCraftsmanship]

I’ve been picking them up from yard sales, junk shops, thrift store, and flea markets for years. Also, a lot of people have given me bunches, since they know I look for them.

[@nathanodle8039]

Ok thanks