Tool Time Tuesday - Checkering File - A great tool for knife making

[@huntintrailmetals9343]

These files do wear really quick so I would recommend using a cutting fluid to save the teeth. And thanks for the video great job!!

[@frenchoutdoor3458]

The Glardon Vallorbe files are one of the best files you can find on the market. The swiss and espacially Vallorbe brand are known for making files for centuries! I use these (big and needle files) with différent grits in my jewelry school in Paris... They do make hundreds of différent type of files for différent use (different kind of steel and hardening) You can't be wrong with that brand and it should last you a long time! By the way, I'm a huge fan of your work and your sharing! Keep up the good work!

[@rollin18wheels]

I like the golf ball handle idea. It may not be ideal but it’s way better than just sticking the tang into the heel of my hand and hoping it doesn’t grab a hard spot

[@luikausvuoon1939]

You should clamp the blade a bit lower on a vise, and keep checkering files safe edge drag against vise. You get first cuts in line, and then you can move file forward a couple of lines at a time, taking support from existing lines. First cut support is critical, also I recommend using file chalk - It saves your expensive file and makes finer cuts.

[@RickRabjohn]

Wow - that is so much easier and consistent than what I've been doing one by one with a Dremel - Thanks for sharing very helpful!!

[@RickRabjohn]

I found it on Ebay = Glardon® Vallorbe Swiss Checkering 6" Hand File Extra Course Cut #00 LP1166

[@andrewgoldstein1606]

Very Nice. Sometimes the simplest way is better. Thanks for the video.

[@strugglebusbonsai]

I've hooked and sliced plenty of Titleist balls but I've never drilled one! I'll add that file to my wishlist.

[@mramanya]

Golf ball trick is neat! Thanks for the video.

[@Feralhyena]

I'm definitely adding this to the growing list of file designs I want to make once I get my shop set up. If only these winds would die down.

[@TheCaptain008]

For all the tips here. that turned out pretty clean. I want one now!

[@richardbohlingsr3490]

Nice idea and gives a repeatable surface for multiple knives.

[@alaub1990]

Tool time Tuesday takes me back to the old seacan days! Haha

[@havikhobbies]

Hi Jeremy, I use the same file for my thumb jimping. I find if i start cutting just using the edge of the file and slowly laying down to flat as I go helps to make the process smoother. I think I also guide the tip with my free hand.

[@goatscratcher]

Rubber wine corks work great, even used them to handle up a couple old knifes I had laying around with broken handles.

[@Simplelittlelife]

That's a great idea! Thanks👍

[@THEboulderprat007]

I use the tines off elk antlers for file handles works great.

[@stephenbradley6258]

Thanks for sharing this great video adventure 😎 🖒🖒🖒

[@thomasstarkey7354]

I'm gonna have to get me one of those, it would my life a lot easier.

[@Simplelittlelife]

Yeah they work pretty slick!

[@pauldevey8628]

Love tooltime tuesday

[@robleach4805]

Looks good. I picked one up at Ken’s Gem Supplies in North east Calgary. It only cost $40. I added a cherry wood handle that I made from some scrap, works great. Thanks

[@Simplelittlelife]

Oh sweet! I'm going to have to look into that. Thanks for sharing!

[@frankbusuttil2572]

Twice in one week J. Dare we say you are back? Thanks for showing me something new too.

[@Simplelittlelife]

You're welcome. I'm trying to be back👍

[@johnklein4558]

Thanks Jeremy! Good informative video.

[@Simplelittlelife]

You’re welcome and thank you! Cheers👍

[@jefff9549]

Great info. Looks good also

[@astormofwrenches5555]

Well I'm convinced!

[@ThePandemicFlu]

Tilt it up at an angle for your first cut and cut a groove with only one row of teeth. Then you have an index to keep you straight. Congrats on the new house!

[@Breakthrough520]

Thanks for the great tip!

[@Simplelittlelife]

You betcha!

[@LifeinFarmland]

Very cool. To Be honest first time I have seen a file like that. Not your everyday hardware store carry but is not on my want list. :)

[@Simplelittlelife]

haha. Yeah they're pretty specialized for sure. Cheers buddy!👍

[@pcjpcj4070]

I buy the files from brownells. They have multiple sizes. I use a dremmel cutoff wheel to start the fist line, the start off that line with checkering file to make guidelines for the dremmel. Then back to the checkering file at the end to clean it up.

[@Simplelittlelife]

That is great insight. Sounds like a good method of getting things done. Thank you.

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

I like it.. never knew such a thing existed.. 👍👍👍

[@Simplelittlelife]

pretty cool aren't they? Cheers!

[@VerminHuntersTV]

Thanks for sharing Regards Davy

[@Simplelittlelife]

You’re welcome. Cheers👍

[@juppschmitz1974]

Very nice video. I learned something today. Keep it coming, but take your time to make your house your home! ;-)

[@chrisheinzman4992]

Can't wait till I am on yohr level of knife making

[@markgodfrey6683]

When you start your filing, it's ok to pull the file until you get your marks in place.

[@nathenwallis5664]

The best way I have found to start your cut, is by using a steep angle at first to establish your cuts, than slowly raise the file to 90 degrees. That helps you keep in the right track, and not slide around on the spine of the knife

[@HoY_82]

I hadn't even considered one of these files. I would put the blade in the mill and tilt the head stock and use the edge of an endmill to do these :)

[@simonhopkins3867]

interesting seeing a tool I've never seen before :)

[@carbonitegamorrean8368]

I have maybe a dozen or so of those checkering files left from my life/career over 25ys as a gunsmith.

[@leebarker4361]

Run a bit of black board chalk on the file it will stop burs catching in the teeth and stop them from scratching your work (a Nick Wheeler Tip;)

[@phyllismulkey3778]

very useful

[@SandCrabNews]

Nice tool. But, extending the blade in open air is not safe, plus you allow vibration. Clamping the blade in the vice would be more safe, reduce vibration, improve efficiency of effort and allow for a guide jig to be used. The checkering file could be used a pilot to start the gimping then finished with a triangle and round file. Of course if round gimping is prefered then you can drill a hole pattern.

[@jacksat2252]

Yep, you are right about the clamping , the area that has to be filed should between the clamps .

[@castledomeknives9395]

I use the bolt thread repair file....a fraction of the price. I understand they're not perfectly * straight* cause the way threads are. That's for another great video

[@luislugo59able]

Welcome back just watched your other video

[@Simplelittlelife]

Thank you!

[@future_phonk]

Would you reccomend using a checkering on a heat treated folding knife? I love the the knife but I sometime slip of the flipper and would like to add some jimping to it.

[@ShelleyRaskin]

Been on my Wishlist for some time...I think if you move in further into the vice you will get less blade flex and it will be slightly easier.

[@chrisosh9574]

That's pretty cool, I like using hand tools for a lot of finishing and decorative features. While I was watching the video I rememberedI have an old Snap-on thread cleaning file in my tool bag, that cut more or less in the same way and has 8 different thread guages on it, it's only about 5/8" wide but I reckon a coupleof passes wouldn't be too difficult. Have you thought of actually trying a checkered jimping? That would be pretty cool if you could get the finish right.

[@Simplelittlelife]

That is an awesome idea! Checkered jimping! That would look awesome. I've thought about the thread cleaning files too but I wasn't sure how well they would hold up. I'm sure they'd be fine though. Might give that a try myself! Cheers👍

[@chrisosh9574]

Simple Little Life. Once in a while I have the occasional good idea. If you try it I would really like to see that, I'm still about 5 or 6 months away from my own workshop so I won't be trying it soon

[@d.h.vargas2450]

Like chris osh mentioned earlier a thread restoring file would work great. Amazon sells them for about $13.61 , GearWrench 2229D External Thread Restorer File SAE 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24 Pitch, Black

[@Spectt84]

Wow nice. I always wondered how a guy can do gimping at home. I always thought they were done with a needle file, which seems to me like that would leave to much room for error. I guarantee if I took out my harbor freight needle files and tried to add some gimping I would be trashing that knife soon after. I'm glad I watched this video. I never knew a file like that existed. I wonder if they make other gimping patterns, thicknesses, & spacings.... Either way, I have a personal goal to learn at least one new thing (large or small) each day. Objective Complete. Thanks.

[@Simplelittlelife]

Pretty cool aren't they? Cheers👍

[@IIISWILIII]

I always thought home gimping was done with studded leather and ball gags! xD

[@steersman-zv2ng]

idea.... checkered scales ... oh yeah!

[@Simplelittlelife]

Oh yes! That would be sweet!

[@HartleyKnifeandSteel]

Was that blank heat treated or was it soft? Very cool video!

[@MrMZaccone]

Adding a larger groove at each end with a small chainsaw file really sets it off.

[@Simplelittlelife]

That’s a cool idea ! 👍

[@MrMZaccone]

@@Simplelittlelife A knife that small I might use a round needle file but yeah, thanks.

[@acrashl]

I'm just wondering if you have tried using a thread file for jimping? It would give you more options for the size.

[@Simplelittlelife]

I have actually abs it really doesn’t work well. Thread files are designed to clean up damaged threads, and not cut new ones. I was hoping it would work but it’s really quite terrible.

[@emilevoyer123]

maybe lower the knife closer to the vice, use the vice as a file guid

[@makerwright]

Egzakery! that'd stop all the flexing and herky-jerky.

[@NORDBANKENSUGER]

I'm amazed after like half a second the dude does not notice exactly this. Flabbergasted!!!!

[@foisalahmmed6345]

nice.....

[@kennyv6135]

Very nice videos lots of info. Hey Jim! I live in the Yukon Territory Of Canada and was wondering where you get your steel? Shipping is brutal up her but I just have to live with it. Just received my 454 Pheer and trying to get started. Thanks

[@SPDDTI354]

How many lines per cut is that file? Great video by the way. I was going to get a triangle file and freehand it, but not after seeing this.

[@mikebell4396]

20 per inch

[@deanoboland]

👍👍👍👍

[@codycarter7373]

I really like that little knife. What is the width of the stock you used?

[@markflowers1953]

Can you use a thread file for the same purpose? A thread file has either 4 or 8 different pitches and is used to straighten the thread on a bolt that's been cross threaded but I don't see why it wouldn't work as well if not better.

[@cameltj908]

What size is the checkering file? I see different options online and I like the size of cuts that one makes. Sorry I'm at work and can't watch the video and my wife wants to know what dad wants for christmas. Strike while the iron is hot!

[@AWAG_FK]

I use thread repair files. They’re cheap and have 8 different thread pitches for different jimping patterns.

[@Simplelittlelife]

I tried them. I have a set of snap on thread files and found them to work so much slower than checkering files. Some people think they work just as good but they don’t.

[@Aaron-lx3gz]

Should pull the blade back further into the vise so you get less sway and vibration on the blade. It will help to bite into the steel.

[@98532178]

Jeremy you can use your plunge line guide to help you to start at the good place. 😉

[@98532178]

And thank you for all of your’s triks!

[@Simplelittlelife]

Yeah that woud probably help out a lot👍

[@ThatOneOddGuy]

Now will G10 damage files for steel, When I cut it with a random wood jigsaw blade ,the G10 ground a couple blades down So is G10 a masonry material? Will it blunt drill bits files and steel working equipment

[@osirisbladeworks6219]

I usually go both directions with this file just so u stay in the lines especially when u start. Just don’t put any pressure when ur pulling back... the first one I bought I was trying to cut both directions and honestly it’s still cutting and only has lost a few teeth which is rather surprising

[@MrMZaccone]

Brownell's has them for 49.99 + about 4 dollars shipping.

[@aldenunion]

Ebay now just got exact same one for $34 free ship...These are selling out even in blacksmith supply shops,popular item...Are 10 and 12 per inch but I cannot find,only 20-30 -40's.....Is 1 ---20 left on ebay shop right now.....Seldom to catch before sold out..Was two 20's left when I bought mine..lol...Seen on here and lucked out...THE ONES on old Union Cutlery and Roger's Thistletops handles are Gouging Checkering kit:s to do the big counter sunk diamond patterns on handles...Little fine ones maybe these but the Deep checkering the Checkering kits for rifles are on ebay from the early era's...$$$$$ I want to do them same Thistletop handles and checked....On my supply list for sure...They are guided gouges with handles.....The X patterns can be done with these but the Huge Deep ones,MUST SEE THE tools they used,superb amount of labor....Almost like leather gouging tool the checkering kits are for rifles...

[@1travis2]

Ohhh man I'm getting one lol

[@Trindal]

With both sides being smooth why not use something like a straight edge to keep the file in the groove?

[@jonathantaylor2584]

Here in the US they're only $30 each. If you need anything small I'm sure I could arrange something and ship them to you. You might also check into forwarding services for some things.

[@StelmansLT]

Can already heat treated blade be filed with such a file?

[@zreiser]

Do you think this would be a good tool to use to add texture to tangs, particularly hidden tangs, to improve surface area for epoxy?

[@3npitsu992]

Art of the Ancients i think so

[@mattwyeth3156]

What is the thickness of the steel that u use and do u heat treat before putting in the Bevel's

[@jk_0047]

Was that a Pro-v you used for the file handle? 😱

[@LookieChannel]

How would you make this for a hardened blade? It works for a soft metal before hardening, but with a hardened blade, my file dies in a minute.

[@Simplelittlelife]

That is because you are too stupid to understand how metallurgy works.

[@LookieChannel]

@@Simplelittlelife why are you being so offensive to someone who is asking for advice? I guess your parents didn't make the right job in education

[@bahur47]

Hello sir , allow me to correct you. Checkering on gunstocks is made by different type of tools. They are much smaller and only make 1 to maximum 3 lines at a time. If you google "checkering tools" you will see.

[@bwhip]

I agree. These files would be used for checkering a bolt knob, but not a rifle stock.

[@jimjoyce962]

Yes different process (checkering on gunstocks) I have used it to checker the backstraps on 45 autos, the bolt release on Mausers and other things.

[@lindboknifeandtool]

These would checker basically everything else on the rifle tho. But yeah that cut checkering is just exquisite

[@adamboyle3331]

Of all the golf balls you could use.... you choose a Prov1. That’s like a $4 ball

[@mikavink5307]

i just use a triangled mini file

[@adammoon4087]

look for a thread chaser in the auto parts store there set up the same way but with different sides for different threads and there much cheaper than 60 dollars with shipping

[@adammoon4087]

was just meant as a cheaper substitute not the go to

[@kaptkrunchfpv]

Now I know what I was doing wrong, i got the wrong checkering file. the one I have has the same specs as what your using but is about 1/4 the size.

[@thomasarussellsr]

45 degrees from both sides, checkered jimping?

[@Simplelittlelife]

That would be really cool!

[@majikmike44]

Ther ya goo.

[@aHigherPower]

Do you recommend a place to buy this file?

[@pcjpcj4070]

Brownells has multiple sizes decent price and long lasting.

[@deiberdairell6154]

my friend is written on your channel wanted to buy a tool of this but here in Brazil there is no sale, what's her name there in the united states,

[@codfishknives8526]

The wood scabard is called a saya.

[@str8tfromtexas]

How many Lines per Inch is this file?

[@jacobusjohannes7267]

Yippy...

[@ronaldmoon4293]

I just looked on amazon and the lowest one on there was 30 dollars with free shipping.

[@wholock0001]

Tool time Wednesday?

[@slntscpe]

Are the 2 sides the same?

[@Simplelittlelife]

Nope, they vary a bit.

[@selador11]

Make a sheath for that file! Wood, kydex, leather, brass, whatever...

[@tonywalker8030]

Any relation to checkers?

[@tugrul8683]

Hey guys. What is the purpose of jimping ? What do we do with it ? What are the benefits ?

[@LIE4ME]

Aug 2020 Amazon has them avg $33-38.

[@Islandbushcraftwildcamping]

I grabbed mine from same guy on eBay lol didn't want to try saying the name FYI. I wrote not a file on the handle

[@smalltownrifleman]

What do you do for a real job?

[@Simplelittlelife]

This is my real job

[@akloot1]

Where in Canada are you?

[@Simplelittlelife]

Alberta 👍

[@akloot1]

I’m in Calgary. I’m just starting out making knives. Your videos are great and you obviously know what you are doing. Do you mind if I pick your brain once in a while if I have any questions? Especially places to soured specific things

[@Simplelittlelife]

Oh right on! I am just outside of Strathmore and I was born and raised in Calgary. Yeah for sure, just let me know 👍

[@akloot1]

Do you prefer to use scotchbrite or cork finishing belts and why? Also where do you get them? Canada knife supply was out of stock of the scotchbrite so I found some cork belts online.

[@favorite1568]

Где взять такой напильник????

[@alexgloba9.90]

На ебае)

[@nicholascurran4290]

What is the width?

[@dave_ecclectic]

Wouldn't a thread restoring file do the same thing? If it does you have the advantage of 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24 Threads per inch.

[@lindboknifeandtool]

That would be a cool checkering file setup, a double sided 4 faced checkerinf file of all different sizes

[@douglasroehling]

Hi can you please put the name of the file here thanks

[@kennyv6135]

Oops! I called you Jim. Sorry bout that

[@kaptkrunchfpv]

$45 bucks on amazon right now