How to make and use a filing jig for knife blades.
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- čas přidán 7. 08. 2013
- My knives have changed and improved a lot since I made this video! For info on my latest knives see my website: store.goughcustom.com/
In this video I show you how to make and use a filing jig to file accurate and beautiful bevels on your blades!
I have used a jig like this to make all the knives I've created so far. It's an inexpensive, safe and accurate way of creating amazing bevels on your knives!
It's very safe to use so it's great for getting younger folk into knifemaking.
The tools needed to construct the jig are:
- Hacksaw
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Electric drill
- Center punch
- 1/8" drill bit
- 7/32" drill bit
- Dremel, angle grinder, bench grinder or belt sander for preparing the file (needed once only)
Materials:
- 1x 11x3.5x0.75" Plywood
- 1x 14.5x3.5x0.75" Plywood
- 1x 10.5x3.5x0.75" Plywood
- 4x #8 Wood Screws
- 2x 1/4-20 Stove bolts, 1-1/2" long
- 1x 3/8" steel rod 36" long
- 1x 1/4" eye-bolt. 2-6" long (ideally get a couple of different lengths)
- 1x 12" Double cut bastard file
- 1x Roll of electrical tape
- 2x 1" diameter screw-type hose clamps
This filing jig can be used for filing full flat grinds, high flat grinds, and scandi grinds. It can also be used for doing convex grinds by doing a faceted grind and then blending the facets together.
It's been 10 years and this video is still one of the most useful. Thank you very much for this content.
I know that you made this 9 years ago, but I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire video is for every part of knife making and bevels.
Incredible video. Thank you.
You're very welcome mate, really glad it was helpful!
@@GoughCustom useful thank you. I want to polish a stainless steel watch case with a bevel.
I’ll see if I can adapt this jig for my purposes
No stupid jokes or entree's, no music I'm not in the mood to hear, no verbose sentences and words. STRAIGHT TO THE POINT APPROPRIATE DETAIL. Excellent!
Glad it was helpful mate!
added to my favorites list so i can go back and watch it some more. i love the way the bevel looks using the file and jig system
I spent about 30 minutes tonight making this filing jig. All I can say is ... AWESOME! Very easy, and inexpensive to build, and once I got my angle adjusted where I want it I was able to file some beautiful bevels. Thanks so much for sharing this, and for all your other videos.
This was most useful tutorial I've seen in months, thank you!
Glad to hear mate, no worries at all!
Absolutely! This jig works very well for partial flat grinds like you're describing.
This was incredibly helpful! I’ve seen jigs like this in a lot of knifemaking videos and this really clarifies how it works. Plus you went the extra step to explain how to use it and some helpful tips. Thanks so much for this video!
+Zackfish12345 no worries at all mate!
I love how descriptive this is! I love the patience and care taken in the making of this video. Thanks for the information. Honestly, been doing this for months and I'm really glad I came across this.
No worries at all mate!
Great jig!! Loved the comment about the "cheap 40 dollar belt grinder" being no good for grinding bevels. That certainly is the truth. I have tried multiple times and got nothing but junk...then I found this video (via Sugarcreek Forge) and built your jig. I "fixed" one of the belt ground blades and look forward to doing a complete blade with it, when I get more steel. Thanks for posting this!
Thanks for watching mate! Glad the jig worked out for you!
You have no idea how much this video has helped me. I have been into knives and knife making for years but have never made anything significant because i was afraid of messing up the bevels. Thank you soooo much.
I built the jig and made my first knife with it. The bevels are beautiful and perfectly symmetrical. Worlds better than I was accomplishing freehand. I prepared the file like you said and got awesome (perfectly symmetrical, very clean) plunges. Thanks again!
I built one and used it. It does a Great job. I did however use a 1/4" bronze sleeve and slid it onto the "Stop" screw. This helps the file slide easier without wear on both the guide screw and file. Thank you for such a great video!
+Bak Draft Good thinking! The same thought of wear on the screw crossed my mind as well. :D
Adding the sleeve to the stop bolt was the only improvement I made to my jig. I noticed it was "missing" from the tutorial. Im no engineer but I tend to notice simple improvements like that.
The best jig for making knives, made mine last week and it takes all the guess work out of the angle. Thanks for the how to vid, this should be watched by anyone who want to get into making there own blades. I even used this jig to make a 15in sword blade!!!
Your not kidding!!ll Top Shelf here....
I made this jig last night and used it to make the bevel on my first file knife. It turned out great! Thank you for the great how to!!!
Thank you for showing us how to not only build the jig, but all the pointers on how to use it. Extremely helpful!
Glad it was helpful Steve!
That's great! Congratulations! It's a good feeling isn't it!
The anti-scale compound that I use is called ATP-641. It's available from Brownells in the US. In Europe the most commonly available compound is called 'Turco'.
Glad the videos have been helpful!
Dearest Gough, this is a wonderful channel. you are very kind and knowledgeable. Thank you for sharing your invaluable information , you truly are a kind person.
+Shona O'Neill Thanks very much Shona! Glad it has been helpful!
Gough Custom in in
Umm
No worries! Glad you found it useful!
Your videos are a great inspiration. I've CNC milled a knifeblank, and made a filing fixture similar to yours. I've surfaceground the blank to near final dimension, and are now excited to file the bevel. So many great tips! I really appreciate it.
Cnexir Awesome mate, nice work! I love the combination of CNC tools and the filing jig!
Wow, a not to complicated but very detailed tutorial! I love it!
Greetings from the Netherlands btw
Thanks mate! Glad you liked it!
+Gough Custom youre welcome, I just made it out of MDF but its really bendy... do you have an idea tot strengthen it or should i make it again with plywood?
+Bart Hooghwerff How thick was the MDF? I can't imagine it being bendy if made from 3/4" MDF....
I'm not exactly sure but I think it was more like 1/2" or 5/8"
+Bart Hooghwerff Very strange that MDF that thick would be bendy... Perhaps it would be best to re-make it using Plywood.
Incase you are like me and like to see it in the video but find written steps helpful as well, here is a transcript of the construction of the jig (Any edits for mistakes are welcome):
1. Take the 11 and inch piece of wood and mark the center long ways (5 inches)
2. Mark the center of the 10-inch piece of wood the short ways (1.75 inches)
3. Once center lines are marked, put glue on the 14-inch piece of plywood
4. Stack the 11-inch piece of wood on the 14-inch-long ways and the 10-inch piece of wood perpendicular lining up the center lines we just made.
5. Once the the boards are lined up, drill 4 1/8 inch holes
6. Screw the #8 1-inch screws into the piloted holes
7. Once everything is screwed together mark center lines in the 11-inch board running lengthwise (2-inches top and bottom) and draw and line connected them down the center of the board.
8. Make 1-inch tick marks down the 11-inch board
9. Repeat steps 7 & 8 for the 10-inch board
10. After you have marked the 1-inch tick marks for the holes, center punch them to ensure each hole goes exactly where it’s supposed to
11. Drill each hole with 7/32-inch drill bit
12. Now create threads by drilling a 1/4-20 Stove bolt, 1-1/2" long in and out of each hole
13. Put the eyebolt in to the farthest thread
14. Cut the steel rod to length by putting the steel rod into the eye bolt and laying the bastard file down so the top of the file is flush with the bottom of the jig and place the steel rod at the top of the handle.
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15. The rod should be the length of the file + the length of the jig, roughly 26 inches (mine was more like 30 inches) for a 12-inch file. Mark the proper length
16. After the rod is cut you should deburr the end so that it doesn’t cut you with a file
17. Round corners of your file on sander, grinder or dremel
18. Wrap tape around the places where the claps will fit on the steel rod this will help them from slipping
19. Attach the clamps connecting the file and rod at the top of the file handle and the top of the file
20. You’re now ready to start using your jig. Set your screws, one for a plunge line and the other more deeply set to stop the blade from moving back as you file
Now that's a huge help. Thanks.
the world needs you... and I believe that I will do your good deeds on other videos to help more people like us! well done man!
Thank u soooo much!!
I have made this today, going by the dimensions above it's only 3.5 inches wide, but it looks like it's wider in the video, unless I have made a mistake?
Thanks for the transcript!
I also wanted to say how special it is to come across skilled artisans like yourself who are so generous with their time and information - I can't thank you enough
No worries at all Tom! Very glad I can be of help!
The number of times ive searched for simple knife making videos, only to just have this show up on my feed is disgraceful. This has to be one of the best explanations, if not the best, of this technique on youtube. Absolutely perfect for those beginning or wanting to make a one off knife for themselves. Clear, well filmed instruction, build, use, technique and advice. Mate thankyou, well done and very much appreciated.
As for youtubes reccommedation algorithm......best left unsaid.
Nice jig! I woukf add, after you flip the blank over it may be helpful to support the underside to reduce flex.
Good catch, makes good logical sense!
@Fireworxs2012 That's not very helpful for the people that want to get their feet wet with knifemaking and don't want to spend $2k on a belt grinder. I have a belt grinder, use it every day, it's not something I would recommend for a person that's new to tools or knifemaking. It took me 12+ blades to nail my grinding technique. Most people want to make 1 or 2 knives for personal use, not point buying a grinder for that.
Exactly, I see all these people using a belt grinder for this and until you made this video I thought I was going to have to buy one! This video is definitely a wallet saver and thank you for that.
BEAN B No worries man!
thanks for the idea for the jig it realy helps for fileing beavls
Jake Lee No worries Jake! Glad it's helpful!
yup
thank you so much for the tutorial! I made this jig yesterday and made my first beveled blade, it worked awesome and turned out flawless!
+Chris Mcghee Excellent Chris! Glad to hear it was helpful!
I know that you made this 3 years ago, but I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire video is for every part of knife making and bevels.
Incredible video. Thank you.
Thanks for the kind words man! Very glad the video has been helpful!
i have just taken my first steps into knife making and you are going to be my new best friend :). the files is the part that scares me at the moment haha. im checking out your videos :)
Well feel free to ask if you ever have any questions!
Gough Custom thanks mate. it's hard trying to figure out what to start with tool wise. I've bought an angle grinder, a vice and today I'll buy stuff to make the jig after I convert your list to metric haha. if you could maybe suggest what files to buy first coz I just stand in the tool shop staring hahaha.
Gough Custom also do you have videos specifically on polishing the knife. maybe just the whole finishing process? and what about handle materials other than wood. I've seen this using some kind of resin. can you buy blocks of this stuff? I'm just not sure what the materials are called but I knew a guy who used to make custom pens with them. had all kinds of patterns etc thanks for your time. hope you Xmas and new year have been safe and enjoyable
Yes I do! If you have a look at my channel I have a number of other tutorials...
like dfalconerio I'm new to this game, I've made a jig similar to this and works great, I was curious though about file choice as was mentioned before. I use a 12" Nicholson Mill Bastard single cut that states gradual removal...and it seems very gradual, looking for something more aggressive. Hard to find a good selection of files here in NS. Suggestions?
Really appreciate the time you took to post up these videos, been a great help in getting started.
That's filing jig looks like Lansky system :D
Yep your right I figured out I didn't have enough room on my bench so I just finished mine I'm testing it out now in my vise thanks again I was ready to give up because I couldn't achieve accurate grinds with my 1x30 but this little jig has given me the breath of fresh air I needed to continue making knives.Greetings from Pennsylvania.
+Alan Turner Awesome mate! Glad the video was helpful! The jig works very well, just takes a fair bit of elbow grease!
Just completed the first stages of construction here this evening. I’ve been wanting to take on this project for a coon’s age! Excellent video, beautiful bevels.
This little jig is crazy good , takes a bit longer but the results are great , been grinding some mild steel with it and there's not much it cant do if you play with the config a bit , would you consider commercializing its design and making it available for sale online at a reasonable price for starter knife makers ? im sure tons of people would benefit from such a tool in their workshops.
Hey mate! I haven't really though much about that, I will give it some thought!
Interesting setup, question though; how would you file using that if you didn't want a bevel going from cutting edge to the spine?
Just don't tighten dow the eye bolt to much that's how you set the angle
As Zach said, you just don't complete the bevel, start from a high angle, cut the edge as deep as you want it, then start working the bevel back until it's where you want it! You don't have to go all the way back to the spine
Glad it was helpful mate! Don't be afraid of messing up, making mistakes is the only way to improve!
Absolutely top rate video, thank you.
I've been using a Lansky for years (for sharpening), and have wanted to "upscale" the concept for filing. Thanks to your video, I now know how:)
Thanx for the video .... just had to subscribe .... my name is Gough also .... if I get good at knife making, I won't use that name ... LOL!
By the way, is your first name "Van" ?
Gary Rose if you're referring to the famous van gogh, the first name would be vincent. i like the way you're thinking though 👍🏼
haHAA
Just finished heat treating my first knife using this jig. Turned out AWESOME! Thanks for posting these videos.
Awesome man! Good work! You must be stoked!
Awesome! Thx for the reply bro. Went with your size to start. Finished the build a minute ago. Can't wait to grind!
Congratulations! I'm glad the jig worked well for you!
I bought a Damascus blade blank to put my own handle on,and will be getting a raindrop billet in a few days. I have no tools and had no idea how I would grind bevels and an edge,so happy I found this vid. Thanks heaps mate 👊🏻
Making the plunge line using that screw as a stop and reducing the corners on the file, just brilliant. Thanks, so innovative.
Thanks David! Hope the video was helpful!
I made your file jigs yesterday, it's an excellent design. very functional. your videos have been a lot of help to me. thanks man
No worries at all mate! Glad it worked well for you!
That particular part at the end where you can see the bevel form showing through the paint was very very helpful. Really great quality video!
Glad to hear it mate, thanks!
Thank you for making this video.
It's a HUGE help to total novice knife makers like myself.
+John Klein no worries mate, glad it's helpful!
Thanks for the tip. I just made one for myself and finished beveling a blade on it. Works great. Thanks
Made this jig Today, And was able to perfectly file the bevels of the knife I had just forged. Thank you so much. This is a gamechanger
Really glad it was helpful mate!
Thank you Aaron, I made the Jig and have been blown away at the results. Thank you so much for all the tutorials
+Dougie Weir awesome mate! Really glad to hear!
Gough Custom I did find that low spot, you talked about on my first go, but your voice was in my head correcting it. I managed to correct the mistake by Draw filing and my second bevel went to plan straight away. Your a great teacher Aaron. God Bless you mate
Really excellent instructions, I'm going to make one of these this weekend. Thank you!
Thank you for this post. Using your design, I made my own version of this file jig, and it works great! Thanks for sharing!
No worries Bob! Glad it's working out for you!
I used this jig to create my first bevels today they came out great thank you for sharing this info!
Really glad the video wash helpful Joshua!
By a long shot the most helpful video I've found on filing jigs. I'm mostly doing scandi grinds but some day will try a flat grind. Thanks
Glad to hear Luke! Thanks!
This thing works very well. I helped a buddy put a grind on a chopper he's making. Its quarter inch stock so it took awhile but its very clean. Also the grind is about 2 inches deep . Definitely works. I'll be making my own jig soon since I can only use his on the weekend lol!!
Great! Glad it worked out well for you!
This video is pure gold. I watch it again and again. Thanks for shearing Aaron...!!!
Glad you like it mate!
I've seen a couple of videos about filing jigs now but yours was the best. Lot's of attention to details! Good job!👍
Thanks mate, glad it was helpful!
By far the best tutorial on file jigs I have seen. Thank you for this video going to try this out on my first knife.
Thanks mate! Glad it was helpful!
Absolutely! It's actually not too hard to get nice straight bevels, I've even done a double-edge dagger on a similar jig in the past.
I'm learning A LOT everyday from this channel. I'd like to start making my own knives, but it seems to me an expensive hobby; now I'm reconsidering it. Another great and informative video, thanks for your work!
Thanks mate! Glad it's been helpful!
I built this jig and made probably 20 or so knives on it before I had saved up enough to buy a belt grinder. It performed extremely well and I was very pleased with the outcome. Thanks for making this video; it really helped me on my jouney as a knifemaker
Really glad to hear that Andrew :)
Thank you, made the filing jig, and the 2 brick forge and my first knife. Thanks for the instruction and inspiration
James Brenner Awesome James! Good work!
Great! I hope the filing jig works out well for you!
Than you so much for sharing the design of your bevel jig. I built this jig and started my first knife yesterday. Can't wait to see the finished product. I have viewed all of your videos for learning tips. Please keep posting information that helps amateurs like me. You are one hell of a knife maker!!! Keep up the good work.
No worries at all mate! Will do!
I am glad I found this channel, you make it look so easy the way you explained everything and it was very enjoyable to watch.. Thank you very much!!
Really enjoy your videos GC. They're not only very educational, but entertaining as well. You've inspired me to have a go at making my own knife Thank you and keep 'em coming.
+Hangin' Burrito Thanks very much mate! Glad you've found them helpful!
Very nice setup and excellent tutorial on how to make a knife…very well done!
This was, by far, the best Information for beginners (myself) that I have found. I've been watching a lot of videos on this topic, and this one is by far the best for what I needed to know to get started. Thank you for the details you provided! Can't wait to get started and make my first knife! This video took away a lot of the intimidation.
Glad to hear Corey! You can also let me know if you have any questions and I'll be happy to answer them!
What an amazing file guide and video, great job and instructions that you gave board lengths, drill sizes, screw sizes everything. I am going to make one for myself I know it will work well thanks for sharing this build, I'm sure there are many people you helped like myself with your clear instructions.
Very glad the video was helpful Kenneth!
No worries, glad you liked it! The blue stuff is called 'layout dye'.
Still the best jig video I’ve seen! Thank you!
This is a great idea for my tool i will use for sharpening my knifes at home. Thanks for posting the vid.
Thanks mate! Glad it's working for you!
A dandy little jig and lots of very useful information. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
You're very welcome Stan!
I built your jig today and for a first time knife maker it works beautifully. Thank you
Glad to hear mate!
This thing certainly separates the men from the boys. I built this jig to make a kitchen knife. I adjusted the hole patterns a bit for the larger blank but it works perfectly. I feel like i'm getting my cardio in as i shape it. Your added advice at the end is spot on. Thanks for the awesome tutorial!
Haha, yes it is definitely good exercise making a knife this way! Glad the jig is working well for you!
I'm getting ready to start my first knife, gathering materials, etc. I'll build one of these for sure. Thanks for posting!
No worries! Hope it works out well for you!
Thank you for making this video. Last weekend i started on my first knife with no jig and i struggled. I watched your video and went to the hardware store and bought the parts to make this. Cant wait to get out there and get it working
Best of luck mate! I'm sure the Jig will help a lot!
Thanks for this Aaron, your videos have been a big help so far on my first knife using an old 14" Saw Blade. Got the bevels down beautifully, working on the satin finish now (shouldn't have hardened and tempered first but it still works) and I have some nice Red Gum for the handle. Watching this video was the thing that kicked me over the edge into making it...
Nice mate! Glad the jig is working out for you!
Excellent , talented bloke , gotta love being an Aussie.
I am going to make this in my wood shop. This will be very helpful
Just wanna say thanks for posting this video as my brother and i are having a knife build off lol this fixture just put me in the green and i really do see a good amount of handcrafted knives in the future. You have me as a new subscriber for sure, thank you very much for taking the time to make these videos.
David Amstutz No worries mate, glad the video was helpful!
Very good video; I appreciate your detailed articulation of the most pertinent information on the subjects presented. Glad to have found you.
Thanks mate!
Love it Simple and effective. Gonna build one tonight. Having my boys make their own bushcraft knife and this is going to make the filing easy for them
Nice mate, that's a great project to do with them!
Thank you so much for this video! I've made my first knife and this jig worked perfectly! It was going to be a daunting task until I watched your video a saw how easy it was to make great bevels with your jig. Guess I'm rambling, just wanted to say thank you!
Really glad to hear Andrew! Thanks for letting me know!
Great work mate! Very glad it worked well for you!
I made the jig aside from gluing it took about 20 minutes in the shop. Works like a champ. Two things I did different; Instead of using a screw tot tap the holes, I just chucked a 14/20 bolt into the drill and went to town. Second, I made a second row of holes about 1" from the file end of the jig for thinner smaller knives so I would not keep filing the plywood. Oh, and I used a set screw for the backstop. I can see that depending on the back line of the knife a few different screws could be used for the back stop to keep the edge parallel to the jig. Thanks for a great video. Hope that VMC mill motor driver hangs on for you.
Robert Lunsford Sounds good mate! Should serve you well!
Yeah I'm hoping the driver hangs on as well... I definitely think it needs to be replaced, it's just a case of now or later. Apparently the unit in my VMC was notoriously unreliable, they only used it for 4 years. Oh well!
I've been using O1 mainly in the past, but I'm currently evaluating a range of different steels and will soon decide which steel I'll be using from now onward.
I also wanted to thank you for sharing your wisdom with us all I personally prefer hand filing even though it takes more time. For me it is relaxing I forge my bevels and then do finish filing so again thank you godbless and be safe.
Hi Aaron, I made a version of this jig today and it's already made a huge improvement on my otherwise bodgy filing technique. Good job mate and thanks for sharing.
Wicked! Glad it's been helpful mate!
Just made your jig, worked out amazing. Thanks much.
Awesome Kevin! Really glad to hear!
with a few more adjustment to your jig I now have my new knife filing jig and its working fairly well. first knife has some obvious flaws but second is coming along nicely. I'm amazed at how easy files do the job. NO POWER TOOLS required. thanks for your help.
+ron newton Excellent work mate! Glad to hear it's working for you!
Best video on youtube! This gentleman is an amazing teacher.
Thanks very much Gryph!
Sounds like you've set yourself a challenge! Hope it goes well! Keep on looking for those eye-bolts, the jig makes it much easier to get pretty results.
A big "Thank you" from France, your channel is full of fantastic informations. Keep on creating, you're amazing !
Thanks very much Josef!
I want to thank you once again for this video. Yes I have a 2x72 belt grinder, but this jig allowed me to make more accurate bevels than what my skill level could allow on the belt grinder alone. To me, the grinder is great for stock removal, but for accurate, consistent bevels, this jig allows me to slow things down and make the final cuts precise. I did an arrowhead shaped dagger with 4 scaled holes down the center of the blade. Then both sides were cut so the center bevel line was able to go straight down the center of each hole. Very accurate, controlled cutting with this jig. I could never do that on my grinder with my abilities. Furthermore, my co-worker seen it and built the same thing because he cannot afford to buy / make a 2 x 72 grinder. So THANK YOU again!!! I (we) so appreciate you making this.
Really glad it's been so helpful Steve!
Great practical & simple design, also appreciate your sharing the detailed tips.
+BlueCollarScholar No worries at all mate, hope it's helpful!
Built one of these today after seeing this video last night.
Instead of using plywood I used 2x4's because its what I had on hand.
Amazing!
Works great!
Thanks for posting this video!
Great! Glad it worked out for you!
You Sir, are a great Instructor !! Thanks, for the Video : )
Thanks mate! Hope it's helpful!
thank you, this was exactly the information i was looking for. i plan on making one of your jigs for myself next weekend.
Glad to hear mate!
Very nice. Thank you very much. I'm on my second knife and learned much of what I do from your videos. I needed a jig, as I've just been resorting to full draw filing the entire bevel (takes forever), which leaves thick areas near the plunge and tip (near the plunge it's almost impossible to fix it). I'll be out shopping for these supplies tomorrow!