Making a Knife from an Old File - Backyard Blacksmithing
As a new blacksmith you may by planning to make your first knife. Today we look at making a knife from an old file using a simple backyard forge setup. The blower used was provided by Vevor for an earlier video.
VEVOR Air Blower in the US: s.vevor.com/bfQCDL
VEVOR Air Blower in CA: s.vevor.com/bfQE16
VEVOR.com: s.vevor.com/bfQDun
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Main shopanvilAnvil provided by; Fontanini Anvil
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Below you will find useful links that will help you in your journey as a blacksmith.
To find more information in blacksmithing in the US or to search for your local ABANA affiliate group visit.
www.abana.org/
Blacksmithing tools and supplies
Self contained air hammers - www.saymakhammers.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.oleoacresfarriersupply.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.piehtoolco.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.centaurforge.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmithsdepot.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmithsupply.com/
Square head bolts and lags - www.blacksmithbolt.com/
New anvils - www.oldworldanvils.com/
New anvils - www.nimbaanvils.com/
New anvils -
Industrial supplier - www.mcmaster.com
Tong blanks and tools - kensironstore.com/
Fire brick and refractory - refwest.com
Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.t yourself.
This knife is now listed for sale on Etsy - www.etsy.com/your/shops/me/listing-editor/edit/1691856976
After blacksmithing for 3 years I have a much better setup than when I started but I'm still loving this no excuses series you're doing with the backyard setup.
"-Honey wake up, Black Bear just posted!"
That would be a great tag line fir this channel. Great part of anyone's Sunday morning!
Hahaha.... Awesome!
100% accurate.. though my wife listens to him.. more than watching
Great line indeed
Awww I wish I thought of that.. 👍
A great tip I was shown for glue handling: squirt the epoxy into a tiny zip lock bag, mix it in the bag by squeezing it with your fingers, nip the corner off the bag and squeeze the glue right where you need it. It is a really clean method.
Great tip!
Nice! I've done that with sour cream and taco seasoning but epoxy 🤯
I can’t believe it’s never occurred to me to do that, but I’ll definitely be trying it out
What many people wanting to start blacksmithing fail to realize is how simple our ancestors' tools were. Despite that, they were able to make incredible items, some that are still in use to this day. All most of them had was a wood or charcoal fire, some method of stoking it anything from a hand fan, a blow pipe, or some sort of bellows. A small metal steak they drove into a tree stump of log for their anvil, a hammer, and some sort of tongs. But with only that, they were able to make everything from a nail to a full suit of plate armor, and the weapons used be that man. Today, people are used to watching people using tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment to forge even the simplest of objects. They think all that is necessary to get before anyone can start blacksmithing.
That just takes so much time. Like you sir have said, imagine making full plate of armor or longsword on that steel piece embedded into stump with something that resembles a hammer. Doable 100 percent, but people developed these power hammers and different steels and big anvils and blowers further for a reason. I made chisel, punch(coil spring) and knife(old file) on setup almost exactly like in the video but instead of electric blower i used a hand fan. Very fun too, haven't invested anything but made very useful tools out of nothing basically.
One of a kind for sure John. Beautiful job on the knife and set up to do the work. Thank you for taking time and all the extra work it made for you to film for us. Love spending part of my Sunday learning from you. Be well my friend.
Thanks for watching
That guard is brilliant. Had not considered a guard like that for knives. As always your videos are fantastic, informative, easy to watch and very enjoyable. Thanks for all your work
Glad you enjoyed it
Some civil war knives were set up this way.
As someone that's looking into make knives, this is an amazing video! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!
I can smell that antler being sanded lol. As always, great work.
❤ totally love this backyard setup. I hope this series encourages people to pursue this hobby or business. I've been blacksmithing and bladesmithing almost a year now and I started off with a simple setup that has enabled me to buy more material and uptool. Haven't made any real money, but I'm a part-time hobbyist and not ready to pull the trigger to go full-time yet. Might be a few years. 😊
Well I'm inspired... Now just to make time to set up a forge... I'll get there...
@davidlee9299 heck yes! I'm still using the railroad track section and double horn vevor anvil I started with. The part I splurged a bit on was my propane forge and 100 lb LP tank. Didn't want to run out of gas in the middle of a project and bituminous coal is scarce around me. Not as cost-effective to use charcoal as it burns up too fast in my (limited) experience.
I have to say, as a long time viewer I really appreciate this content. I found your channel right around the same time started blacksmithing, and grew along with it. However, due to circumstance, I went from a custom 300sqft forge to a 6x4 shed behind my elderly mothers house. I feel like I'm starting from scratch, and it's nice to do so on this channel.
Thank you sir for being so forthcoming with information that so many knife makers keep to them self thanks again Frank from Georgia
Awesome no excuses demonstration. Lets make a knife from scrap, a bic lighter and an old hammer. Love your ability to teach all
File knifes are some of the better hand made knives I've made. Very good starting material for average skill guy. Nice video and Bellows.
Watching this reminds me of what I had when I started. The first forge I built was made from a tire rim, a variation of a brake drum forge, had the rim, didn't have a brake drum. Used the lump charcoal for fuel and a hair dryer for the air source. Man that thing would melt steel like nobody's business if you didn't stay on top of it. Good times..........
Looks great , it is amazing what can be forged on a simple set up
I've always wanted a forge! I'm an old welder. Looks like fun!
Beautiful knife anyone would be proud to make and own. Thanks for taking the time to show us some primitive smithing, especially when you have such a fabulous shop inside.
Gotta say, love that anvil.
I love how the angle grinder shows the sparks, and if people pay attention to them, will know be able to see what a higher carbon steel spark test should look like. I know it is probably W-1 or 2 but those are still higher carbon. I know a lot of beginner blacksmiths that want to know how to identify steels via spark so I think that should help if they pay attention😆
Hey John, just want to say how greatly I admire the time and thought you put into making these videos and the work that goes into it. It's easy to see that you really care about getting people involved in this hobby/trade, and we greatly appreciate you.
Wonderful video ,Mr. Switzer. Such a creative. I appreciate it so much .
John you were the first blacksmith i saw when i started in 2020, you totally inspired me then and I have replicated many of your projects ( the hose / cord holder has been very successful ) and today again you have inspired me now to try my first knife. i have accumulated a few used up files ! There are many youtube smiths but your calm style is extremely easy to watch and learn from. Im in Queensland, Australia and to see snow there when its 32 ( 90 f ) here is just lovely. Thank you for teaching and sharing your life skills. Legend mate.
I literally watch hundreds of videos of knive making and I love your style and the looks and performance of your knives this one here my favorite
Really nice to see minimum viability builds be demonstrated.
Very nice! I'm chomping at the bit to make a file knife. I've got 3 old files that I kept just for this.
My grandma always said where there's a will, there's a way.
Where there’s a will, I want to be in it😝
Great video John. A really good way of showing people that want to have a go but don't have the budget to buy the gear for a really nice shop set-up and providing some inspiration as well. I think some blacksmiths get too caught up in perfection and forget where they themselves started from.
I love the knife it is awesome and I truly appreciate that you are showing how anyone can can do things without spending a ton of money
looks cold there, snow already, I wasn't expecting a knife video here. Thanks for showing us knife people some love. Looks good
Good video and cool knife! I appreciate you making this basic knife with basic tools. There are lots of folks doing this with $1000s in fancy equipment that make it seem impossible to start out without all the jazzy stuff. I have all of the tools you used in the video, so I'm going to make my first blade now! Thanks!
Just remember, all the jazzy stuff helps make the process more efficient and more profitable for people trying to earn a living. But for a small hobby shop, everything can be done by hand.
Good luck. I hope to set up a forge one day Looking for a rail track to use for anvil. Maybe one day I'll be able to give it a try. Thanks
Good lookin lil knife
Nice looking knife John, and perfect timing too! I helped a friend butcher a deer a couple days ago and saved the antlers to make him a knife. Thanks for all you do!
Love how you keep it real John! You have been a real pleasure to follow! Thank you for taking us all along on your journey!
I appreciate that!
Thank you for sharing your talent.😊
I had the exact wood stove growing up, fond memories of starting a fire every morning.
Another excellent video sir. Always fun to drill the pith out of an antler.
That's a great looking knife... reminds me of my antique 477 hunting knife. Looks good.
I like your knife 🗡, and you just gave me some new ideas for my own forge. Thanks. Keep up the good work and God bless.
Learned from my cousin: you can also use wood stain for the antlers. You have a lot of options to get the right color you want, works great. Great job as always, John!
I made a file that was my grandfathers into a knife recently, it had lost most of its teeth and it had a really nice taper on it already so I made a sort of bowie shaped blade with a full tang handle and some of my T shirts made into a rather rough micarta but it was great fuin to make and I am really pleased with how it came out. I think there are pictures on my instagram but thats beside the point. Sometimes the materials you use are as impotant as the knife itself and being able to make a new tool out of somethings that have had their day is a really cool project Thankyou for sharing your take on this cool type of project
So beautiful. Love it.
Thanks for showing how simple it is to attach an antler to a knife. Another great video that I expect will be well received.
We have used those bounce house blowers when smelting iron. They work great for that. No problem leaving them on for hours and hours.
By the way, those bounce house blowers make really good leaf blowers too, if you have a long extension cord.
I love the ingenuity involved in your setup. My dad was a master smith. He was 42 years old when i was born and he died at 72. By the time i wanted to learn, my time was short. Wish i had used my ears more and my mouth less.
FWIW John, I really like the narration video format. Allows you to do the work much like how we would do it in our shops without the pause’s and allows you time to watch the video to decide where and when to comment. Awesome job!
Glad you enjoyed it
Same, I started with a wood fire and a black of steel. Upgraded to a charcoal/coal grill, then to a 3 burner forge. Yes, all the bells and whistles make it easier, but they didn't have this stuff back in the day, it can be done!
That type of sledgehammer head makes a fantastic anvil. Beautiful knife. Love it!
What a great video and a dream of a knife! That would be my dream trappet knife as a kid!
Very nice job.!!I like the handle.
Looks great! Well done.
Love the knife John, it has a great look!
awesome knife build looks great made a number of knifes from files thanks for sharing
I love your videos
Possibly the best video on starting to forge I've seen. Great information and instruction. Thank you so very much.
Another absolute work of art and true craftsmanship! For only doing this for how long now ? You were a Smithy in a past life someplace...cause brother you were born to do this. Don't know if this will be of any future use to you but Im a amateur smith who's Grandfather was a real Blacksmith Who had his own foundry and forge 80% of his life and it was how he made his living.....one thing he taught me amongst the many pearls of wisdom he would drop on my head like an Atom Bomb....was this..... "Remember Boy.....most times less is more.....and its the little details that really count at the end of the day!"
Good job,Thanks for sharing. This is encouraging. I think I’m going to give it a try.
Perfect timing - one of the next pieces I want to tray and tackle - a Knife out of a file. I don't aspire to be a Knife smith but I do like the simple - utilitarian "tool" aspect. I look forward to your "how too" back to basics tutorials. Proof that you don't need "all the cool tools" to "make something". Thanks John!
Thanks to you, I started blacksmithing yesterday, my forge firing was satisfying and I got inspiration from your dirt forge video, I managed to Smith my first rebar Chisel, couldn't get the fire hot enough to mold it effectively, so that is a lesson learned for my next firing, thank you blackbear forge, you are truly truly an inspiration.
Enjoy the journey
@BlackBearForge Thank you! Made my first tool, was meant to be a firepoker but turned into a Chisel instead. Spent two days refining it and emptying out my ground forge of ash and rinse and repeat, it was an exciting process and I learnt a lot from it.
The thing I like best about this build is that the file was actually forged. So many videos show a file knife build where the file was only ground to the size and shape. Great video! I enjoy the use of "low budget" equipment, it helps folks like me get started!!!!
Your voiceovers are amazing! Thank you for the video, stay safe.
Great video John. I might be able to use this in the future too. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks for this video. I will share it with my Scout troop as two are interested in blacksmithing. Here's to a great 2024 for you and yours.
Just quietly, mate, that knife is a work of art! Love the æsthetic.
As a retired Arch'/ Eng'., & Designer i will certainly vouch for that..❗👍🏻👍🏻🙇♂️
I love that handle! Nicely done
Fantastic job with so few tools John. That knife turned out beautiful and usable too. Thanks for sharing with us, that was an interesting build. Stay safe and get ready for winter, it's a coming to your area soon. Enjoy it and the animals that will gather around there too. Fred.
Good to see the job being done with the minimum of tools.nicely done blacksmith.
Hello Sir,I am a gunsmith/machines for 33 years.I comend you on this video,it is the most informative video I have ever watched.I have learned a tremendous amount from you.These days AMERICAN craftsmen are all but extinct,I thank GOD for you.May GOD and JESUS CHRIST be with you always.Zane
Thanks again, John. Good to see that some simple tools and techniques can work. JD Forge (Joe), “…consider everything is hot in the shop…”
Loving this backyard series! Keep up the great work!
Glad you enjoy it!
Lovely knife and great video. I am so glad that your hand healed up well after that power hammer accident you had, honestly the youtube algorithm thing stopped presenting me your vids so I had got very worried for you. I also deeply admire the manner in which you set out to demonstrate how this project is accessible and to show how to make it so. That was kind and generous of spirit Thanks very much
Subscribe?
Brilliant video, I enjoyed every minute. Much appreciated. Thank you
I like this fine work. Regards from Germany / Solingen
The best "beginner knife" video I have seen to date. Thank you sir
Really appreciate this effort, thank you!
I have a similar improvised setup and as far as I've seen, the blower is super overkill. I use a hairdryer on low setting and I can heat up some pretty big chunks of 12mm leaf spring and I also managed to burn a couple of smaller pieces when I didn't pay attention.
This is undoubtedly (to me at least ) one of your top videos!
Thanks, Judging from the first weeks performance, a lots of other people agree. I'll see if I can find some similar projects for the future.
Wow! Beautiful knife. Great job! 👍
Yep, I bought a harbor freight angle grinder and it's done everything I needed it to do for the one off jobs I needed one. As a note too, Vevor has a 3 pack tongs kit for $60, which can be added to the budget if needed.
...thanks for the post, glad you popped up in my "feed"... Always absolutely appreciated.,...
Welcome!
New viewer here and I have to admit, A really Beautiful rustic knife you made,with some very simple tools.
A beauty. Cool workmanship sir. Greetings from Germany
I like the idea of that little anvil in the log. I find these typ of hammer/spliters in the road. I have way more then ill ever need. Thanks for the tips 👍👍.
I took you recommendation on Ken's Custom Iron. 100% recommend.
Awesome thanks from Australia
Fine education, script, acting, and editing.
Thank you. To adjust the guard by giving it some stikes while on the tang is so easy and clever. I never did this and always struggled. I also love the idea of the leather piece. ☺
Glad it helped!
I love it. Great video. A project most anyone can do.
Nice job. I had the exact same model fisher wood stove, loved it. My first forge was a brake drum 40 years ago. My grandfather was blacksmith and wheelwright. Born in 1894 and served in wwI as a blacksmith. I’ve made too many knives to count and sold them for 6 years, good times. Keep up the great videos my friend!
Beautiful work John.
I like my 14 " rail road track iron for an anvil & do my work in a barn , out of the wind & cold air !!!
Thank You for sharing 😊
Loved it.
After 2 knives I've made the decision im done with knives. But watching your video really makes me want to make a few more lol. Great video i love that its a hard budget set up.
Luckily there are lots of other directions you can take your blacksmithing if you don’t want to make knives.
@BlackBearForge you have been a great influence in the direction I've taken with my blacksmithing and your videos have helped a lot in my journey of learning blacksmithing.
As a retired Pr.Eng.' Arch, i still can't stop tinkering, wheter it be door hanging fitting like a glove or Bladesmithing Welding Plumbing etc., my Pro., Collegues etc., hire me to do renovations etc., wither it be at their Homes, Practices or even Private Clinics etc.,.having more fun than i ever had whilst working in an Office..Fortunately had my initial training on the Floor & Workbench to pay for my own College & University studies..highly recommend it to any youngster, finish your Apprenticeship first as an Artisan & qualify, then study further if you still have the urge..Office Job is not always what it is made out to be..i.e., rather do your own thing as Electrician, Plumber, Mechanic or Tool & Die Maker etc...❗🤔🙇♂️
John, great video as always with great ideas. I love the primitive setup and enjoy watching how the steel flows for you, great hammer work, I've never heard oh using strong black tea as a type of dye! I'm going to have to try that! I've used canola oil for quenching and it's always worked well for me. Stay well and please keep these videos coming, great part of my Sunday mornings. John V.
Enjoyed watching
What an really nice project, and i really like that handguard.. Gonna check if i can get hold of some really old files:)
mate, you are genuine, thanks so much
fantastic video thank you x As a learner/enthusiast I find your videos clear, informative and helpful. Truly the best out of ALL of the content on YT. Much love and please keep 'em coming!
Love the improvised post anvil.
I love it! That’s going into my forging list.