M.G. Mühlhäuser & Söhne
Finest Quality Handmade Knives
Step 6- Knife File Work
Along the spine of many of the knives I make you will notice decorative patterns cut into the blade which add a very elegant touch to the finished knife. This is achieved entirely by hand through file work.
File work really adds no major functional advantage to the knife – although it does reduce weight slightly and some patterns do provide for additional grip when using the knife. However, what it adds is a bit more uniqueness and individuality to the knife. A knife with hand file work transcends the tool from utilitarian to functional art. Our knives are designed to be your field companion for many, many years – so adding a little special flair through file work will always be appreciated every time you take it out of its' sheath.
Personally, I hunt in many places around the globe, and when others see me using my Muhlhauser knife, it usually starts a conversation. And the first two things that draw attention are usually the file work and the handle material. The file work then leads to the longest conversation, as I am always asked about how it is made. Others appreciate not only the knife, but the many hours that go into making it. Muhlhauser knives are truly pieces of functional art – used and cherished by those who own them and desired by those who do not.
In this example, I will be hand filing a vine and thorn pattern into the first 5 or so inches of the blade, starting a little bit back from the tip. The pattern will extend along the front of the blade, past the bolsters and partially into the handle. "Sandwiching" the file work between the bolsters and knife handle scales gives it quite a dramatic effect. The model being worked on here is a Bushbuck. As in most cases, pictures may make it look easy – but it takes lots of practice and experience!
The vine and thorn pattern just happens to be the most frequently requested pattern by our customers. Sometimes the vine and thorn patterns appear to climb toward the tip of the blade, and other times we make it flow toward the back. This is purely a matter of personal preference. We offer a variety of other patterns as well. (The second most popular is our rope pattern).
I hope the many pictures on this page provide a little better insight into what goes into making a handmade hunting knife with file work.
The first step is to swab layout dye on the top end of the knife steel. This allows us to make our reference marks, and provides for greater contrast when filing.
I scribe a center line down the blade. Then, cross marks are made perpendicular to the length of the blade. The distance between them is determined by the thickness of both the blade, and the round file I will use later.
The file work is started by using a triangular file to create small grooves along the top of the blade. I go down one side making a triangular groove in every other mark. I make similar grooves on the other side create a pattern which alternates from side to side.
Work with the first round file is nearly completed. I constantly check to see how the pattern looks on the sides of the blade as well, as this is important to the overall look of the knife. We tend to go much deeper on the sides than most makers which takes longer. Why? Because it just looks pretty bad **s.
Next I use a round file and to expand the size of the groove. It is critical that both the depth and angle of the cut are the same from one groove to the next.
Creating a handmade knife is tedious, time consuming work. It helps to have a patient companion at your side. Teddy was my constant companion and he served me well. I will forever miss this great dog. He was there through it all and so his memory lives on with every knife I make.
The grooves are expanded with a larger diameter round file. The serpentine vine pattern is really starting to take shape here.
Once the right side is complete, I start down the left, trying to remain consistent as possible.
Now I start the more delicate process of adding in the “thorns”. This is done with a very small triangular file. It has to be held at a specific angle and then rounded from the side of the blade to the top, just in front of each curved groove.
Almost there.... With the thorns cut, I now round off the back side of each curved groove (top and sides) in order to make the vine. The vine is becoming apparent toward the tip of the blade.
Now the finished pattern is visible. It’s a lot of work, but it makes the knife really stand out. I give it one more close inspection and then the blade will then get heat-treated. Once heat treated, no more file work can be performed.