Chainsaw file hardness?

[jzmtl]

Well my quest for serrated hawkbill ranger 58 has encountered first roadblock.

I was under the impression that metal files should have hardness of above 70, so it should cut stuff in the 50ish range. I even remember kwakster said the guy who made his serrated 154cm used a file to do it. But when I tested a brand new chainsaw file on a cheap kitchen knife (you know the thin stamped ikea varity), it cut a tiny bit for a pull or two then just stopped working, and started gliding afterwards as if the tooth no longer has any edge.

What gives? 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Were the teeth too full of material too cut anymore

[jzmtl]

No they are completely clean, just don't cut. I can see shiny reflection off top of tooth, but duno if it's from the little bit of metal it managed to cut or itself's deformation.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

No they are completely clean, just don't cut. I can see shiny reflection off top of tooth, but duno if it's from the little bit of metal it managed to cut or itself's deformation.

That is a little odd

[hawkchucker]

Is it a brand name file, or a cheepo from a Flea market? Sometimes they just dont work.

[jzmtl]

It's a house brand for the store, mastercraft by canadian tire if you know it. Made in brazil if I recall, cost me $6 too.

But generally a good file should be able to cut knife blade right?

[american lockpicker]

You should have bought a Swiss made file Walmart sells them 2 for $3.95.

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

A lot of cheap files these days are merely surface or case hardened, they dull quickly.

[J-sews]

Regular files are typically in the low 60's Rc for hardness. Many knife blades are in the middle 50's Rc. That just isn't enough difference. Those shiny spots you are seeing on the file is the cutting edge of each little tooth dulled over.

You are going to need a diamond file jzmtl

[jzmtl]

Aww poo, looks like this will be a lot more work than I originally thought. I think I may go back to my old method of chainsaw sharpening stone and dremel. Used that method on a byrd crossbill before, got a little impatient and messed up a few tooth, although it does cut like a demon afterwards.

[american lockpicker]

Send me your address and I'll mail you a used Swiss made file.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Send me your address and I'll mail you a used Swiss made file.

Good on you mate

[jzmtl]

Send me your address and I'll mail you a used Swiss made file.

Thanks, I'll send you a PM.