JeffFogleboch Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 hey guys i was just wondering if you could explain how the decorative filing on japanese blades is accomplished. Yes, I do know it is done with the file and I have done perpendicular file marks using the corner of a file but there must be some trick. Whenever I try the file does not cut a straight line or it skips. I really want to know how to do the "Kesho" pattern. If you look at some howard clark blades and nihonto the filing is near flawless! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Sheffield Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 Practice. There is no trick. My life is like shaving with a razor sharp machete. It's a bit awkward and I feel a sting every now and then, but in the end I'm happy with the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Broddrick Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 I used this picture posted by a Japanese swordsmith on facebook to "steal with my eyes." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffFogleboch Posted February 18, 2016 Author Share Posted February 18, 2016 That little guide on his finger is ingenious! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dougherty Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 I was thinking the same thing. That would have saved me several sets of fingerprints. Gonna have to make one of those! -Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harry_r Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Great pic. Looks like a special file as well. I see two prominent ribs. I hear in the past the file was held at an angle to cut with edge.... I wonder if the thumb guide has a lip on the other side to help anchor it in place? Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffFogleboch Posted February 20, 2016 Author Share Posted February 20, 2016 Yeah now that you mention it I see the grooves! I'm pretty sure that the file is held at an angle to cut with the edge as you mentioned. The file just wants to skate across the steel if you lay it flat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Gorczyca Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Brownells also sells "checkering files" starting at 20 lines-per-inch and going as high as 75 lines-per-inch. I thought of those when I saw this. I believe they sell jigs for holding the files at angles too. Cheating, I know... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffFogleboch Posted February 27, 2016 Author Share Posted February 27, 2016 Cheating? Gahhh, I really like that idea! Too bad those files are insanely expensive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin_Lyles Posted February 28, 2016 Share Posted February 28, 2016 Wanted to grab those files for jimping on knives...But hot hell, they are 50 bucks apiece. Would a normal bastard not work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffFogleboch Posted February 28, 2016 Author Share Posted February 28, 2016 I have no doubt a normal file would work its just a hell of a lot harder than doing it with a specialized tool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Gorczyca Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 I have checkered many a 1911 frame with these files. I've also used them to cut lines in the end of drill rod to make wood checkering tools, and made checkered end chisels for stippling. I feel that the files are worth every penny in time saved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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