Nicholson File Grinding Question

CDHumiston

CDHumiston

KNIFE MAKER
OK, so I have a Nicholson file the has about 1" broken off the end. I want to make a knife out of it.

I know these things are seriously hard, but I want to try and grind it anyway. I have no way to anneal it in a forge.

My question is; if I temper it in an oven at 450 for a few 1 hour sessions will I be able to grind it? I have some brand new Orange Blaze belts to throw at it.

Thanks,
 
OK, no one seems to know or maybe today is not file question answering day?

I went 2 rounds in the oven at 400 for 1 hour each with cooling between rounds.

Here is what I've determined a file will file this file, but this file will not file a file.

Soooo I think it lost some of it's hardness and I'm going to grind it!
 
Thanks for your recommendation. It looks like I did it somewhat right.

I'll start grinding tomorrow and post if I have time.

Thanks.
 
There are several makers who start with files, temper them down at 450 or even 500 degrees, then grind them hard. Just keep them cool while you grind and you should end up with a quite serviceable knife.
 
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