Metal file as knife sharpener

[demonoflust]

Hey, want to ask this question.
Anyone use the metal file as knife sharpener? Will it do a good job?

[ICanFixThat]

I wouldn't use it on a SAK, especially the newer Stainless Steel one.  I might use them on a lawn mower.  I guess the older ones if ysed gently may work in a pinch... but too easy to get a good sharpener these days to waste time with the files.

[Santos]

I use an older style one on a Cold Steel Shovel and to take any burrs out of edges before sqitching to a fine grit wet/dry sand paper

[J Mackrel Jones]

It's the sqitching that really does it.     

[Singh]

Sharpening an axe, yes.  But not so suited for sharpening a knife.

[Steinar]

Hey, want to ask this question.
Anyone use the metal file as knife sharpener? Will it do a good job?

It's too coarse and too soft for a knife. Vic hardens the knife to HRC 55, and the file to HRC 53 if memory serves correctly.

- Steinar

[captain spaulding]

I would not choose to use a Metal File as a knife sharpener, but in a pinch if it was all you had it could be better than nothing.

[North Man]

i like the idea, however agree its best for other stuff, a diamond surface(fine) on one side would do the trick...

[victorinox_czech]

Yes I´m also fun of ideas like this, because you can use your SAK´s tool in different ways, that means you have to engage your brain in particular. Nice example - congratulation to opening this topic!

[Sparky415]

You can always glue/tape some wet an dry to a flat piece of wood (or broom handle for a recurve blade) if you don’t have a sharpener
You can make them any size
I have one two foot long that I use on my axes and machetes 

[captain spaulding]

You can always glue/tape some wet an dry to a flat piece of wood (or broom handle for a recurve blade) if you don’t have a sharpener
You can make them any size
I have one two foot long that I use on my axes and machetes 

What the heck is Wet and Dry?

[theonew]

I tried sharpening the blade on a Vic Classic using a newer Vic stainless steel file and it did work but the edge had a very rough finish, felt similar to around a 120 grit edge, but not as even as one produced on a proper hone. I did also notice that the SS file had lost a small but palpable bit of bite. I'd consider using it again on a machete but would probably only do it in an emergency.

@Capt. - I believe he is referring to wet/dry sandpaper

[Sparky415]

Thanks Theonew   

What do you guys call ‘sand paper’ that is used on metal? 
In the UK we call it wet an dry or emery cloth
Sand paper is for wood work or for lining the bottom of birdcages 

[North Man]

hi we need some pics,...

on picture you see almost never used files, i have on other knives used it some and tested alittle for experience,..i have seen other use it f.ex the SwissTool with success but never on knives,..Also the SwissChamp on picture got the new SSteel type i believe, .....

[demonoflust]

I tried sharpening the blade on a Vic Classic using a newer Vic stainless steel file and it did work but the edge had a very rough finish, felt similar to around a 120 grit edge, but not as even as one produced on a proper hone. I did also notice that the SS file had lost a small but palpable bit of bite. I'd consider using it again on a machete but would probably only do it in an emergency.

@Capt. - I believe he is referring to wet/dry sandpaper

Sounds great, so the older type of file should work wonders
Why using the SAK file? Just another means to explore additional use of the SAK. It may come handy on the field when you have only a SwissChamp and another folder knife.

[Donald]

I just wish my Spirit had a diamond file like the Leatherman Wave. If only Vic would get the idea. A diamond file will do a better job sharpening in a pinch, and is awesome on fingernails.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Hey, want to ask this question.
Anyone use the metal file as knife sharpener? Will it do a good job?

As others have said, I would avoid using a file on a knife except as a last resort.  Even a smooth, flat stone would be preferable.

With an axe it's another matter entirely.  I regularly use a file to sharpen and maintain the edge of my axe.  You don't need a razor sharp edge on an axe for it to be effective (though it certainly helps!  ), so a file is fine for medium grit work with an axe.  I also use a diamond hone and emery paper on my axe to refine the edge.

A good, simple solution is to get a Smith's Pocket Pal.  It has two preset sharpeners built in, and a rat tail diamond file for serrated edges.  It can be carried on a keychain if you want.  About $10 US here at most places. 

A good diamond stone or hone is IMO the best thing to use for sharpening knives.  Smith makes a decent one, and there are others available.  Get one that's two sided with a coarse/fine combination and you'll be set.  If you really decide to get into sharpening, you should get two stones, one coarse/extra-coarse, and one medium/fine.  Once you get some experience sharpening by hand, you can pretty much skip the medium stone, and go right from coarse to fine, so a fine/extra-fine stone is a good choice instead of a med/fine combination.

I learned to sharpen on a stone with oil, but I find the new diamond stones and hones to be far superior to a wet grind method.  Wet means you're using something like oil or water to carry away the metal shavings from the stone.  I think it produces a slightly more polished edge than a dry method like a diamond stone though.  But, that's the beauty of the diamond stones, you can use them wet or dry, with water or oil. 

[Donald]

Good advice. I most often though just use a 17" charged strop with a coarse layer (silicon carbide abrasive) and a fine layer (chromium oxide).

[cool123]

I don't think that the metal file would be good to sharpen your precious utility knives. I prefer to use a knife sharpener whihc works best for almost all knives.

[Mr. Whippy]

I would not choose to use a Metal File as a knife sharpener, but in a pinch if it was all you had it could be better than nothing.

Bottom of a ceramic mug or edge of a car window is better than using a file on a pocket knife.  As someone said, it's too coarse.

[cool123]

I do believe that the metal file can be perfect to for how to sharpen knife at home. Actually the metal file has some lines across and forth which allows it to make the edges of the knives and become a good household knife sharpener.

[zoidberg]

I don't think that the metal file would be good to sharpen your precious utility knives. I prefer to use a knife sharpener whihc works best for almost all knives.

I do believe that the metal file can be perfect to for how to sharpen knife at home. Actually the metal file has some lines across and forth which allows it to make the edges of the knives and become a good household knife sharpener.

Make up your mind. 

[Grathr]

I have used the diamond file on a PST to sharpen a Mora a couple of times. The knife had become very blunt, and the file sharpened it up to a usable but not great edge. 
It also left a lot of marks on the bevel.


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[nervium]

do not use any metal file to sharpen any quality knife.

[cool123]

I don't think that the metal file would be good to sharpen your precious utility knives. I prefer to use a knife sharpener whihc works best for almost all knives.

I do believe that the metal file can be perfect to for how to sharpen knife at home. Actually the metal file has some lines across and forth which allows it to make the edges of the knives and become a good household knife sharpener.

Make up your mind. 

I have made my mind after getting the metal file.

[zoidberg]

I don't think that the metal file would be good to sharpen your precious utility knives. I prefer to use a knife sharpener whihc works best for almost all knives.

I do believe that the metal file can be perfect to for how to sharpen knife at home. Actually the metal file has some lines across and forth which allows it to make the edges of the knives and become a good household knife sharpener.

Make up your mind. 

I have made my mind after getting the metal file.

Being open to change is an excellent quality. 

[cool123]

I don't think that the metal file would be good to sharpen your precious utility knives. I prefer to use a knife sharpener whihc works best for almost all knives.

I do believe that the metal file can be perfect to for how to sharpen knife at home. Actually the metal file has some lines across and forth which allows it to make the edges of the knives and become a good household knife sharpener.

Make up your mind. 

I have made my mind after getting the metal file.

Being open to change is an excellent quality. 

Now I believe that there are pros and cons of every thing. And nothing can be perfect, So I decided to make a change to happen.

[Sparky415]

I have made my mind after getting the metal file.

Can we have some 'in action' pictures please