do you like file work on a knife?

[C Craft]

Well done, file work is like a lady showing a little leg in my opinion.

A little well done file work is just enough to set off the piece, too much and you have undressed the lady and left nothing too the imagination!

 

[Burl Source]

So let me ask this. Should I file work anything on this handle? I was thinking about file working the steel spacer between the brass guard and spacer.

I think with what you are talking about, simple fluting would look best with this knife.
My preference is nice materials, good fit and finish and keep it clean.
Sometimes too much bling can make a beautiful knife look gaudy.

I would say more, but I need to go polish the gold spinners on my Caddy.

 

[Robertcarter]

I tried to post a few pics but with little success but managed to post a few in the knife gallery area. For some reason it just won't let me post pics in this thread or the blade show thread

 

[Gary Mulkey]

I look at filework kind of like I look at extremely high layer damascus in that more isn't always better. Embellishments like filework, engraving, & handle carving are meant to be just that, embellishments, and not the main focus of the piece. If after assembling the blade & handle the knife seems to say, "SOMETHING IS MISSING." then maybe a little filework will keep the knife from being boring. Just remember that "simple can be elegant". Quality filework can sometimes make a $300 knife into a $500 one. It can also make a beautiful $1000 knife into one that is unsellable. IF THE FILEWORK DOESN'T ADD APPEAL TO THE KNIFE, DON'T DO IT!

Gary

 

[McClellan Made Blades]

So let me ask this. Should I file work anything on this handle? I was thinking about file working the steel spacer between the brass guard and spacer.

Brad,
I'm not sure if I missed something,or you may have already addressed my question, or is it more like confusion!? I could have missed it when I scanned through all of the posts in this thread.

So here is the question I have is about your statement, "Should I file work anything on this handle?" Can you clarify what you mean? When you say file work,
that is generally referring to steel, if I'm wrong could someone anyone, please correct me. The way I've always thought of file work on a handle is on the tang, where the handle slabs are attached directly to the tang. Now if you meant carving, that is another world, entrely! Ausbrooks pointed out we can't see the entire knife, so it's kinda difficult to picture in my mind what would look good on it. Personally, I think it looks Sweet just like it like it is! Now if you wanted add some nice little touches, I'd try to get some ideas along those lines. BTW, what kind of wood is that? My guess would be Thuya Burl, with more burl than Thuya! Rex

 

[anderss]

For me personally, I don't do much file work as I mostly make Culinary knives and file work can harbor food etc, So even thou it looks great I think the purpose of the knife and keeping things sanitary are most important.

 

[Brad Lilly]

Hey Rex
I was thinking the mild steel spacer needed a little something, but in the end I left it alone. Your right on the wood it is Thuya Burl. I posted the finished knife here. I'm always looking to improve so feel free to comment
http://knifedogs.com/showthread.php?24326-Bowie-knife-Critique
I have been playing around with file work on mild steel and junk. I will need to be a little better before I try a knife. This has been an interesting thread

 

[DonL]

I think some tasteful file work like Art and some others use on the tang adds a little something extra to a knife. I like to see it filled in with colored epoxy. The few I've done this way were a big hit with the people who received them. I really don't care for it on back of the blade though.

 

[HHH Knives]

File work ROCKS!! Just sayin...

 

[ArtinNC]

FILEWORK !!!!!! If you have two knives on the table just alike for sale and only one has filework, and even with a higher price tag, will sell faster than a knife with out filework. So if you don't like filework why do you buy them??? Embellishments are cool.
Yes, I do file work on the handle and I fill them with black epoxy , and no it don't fall out. And not saying that someday I may have to fix one. A knife should not have a point or tip it may break off , Really???
A knife with a little embellishments is what custom knives is all about ( something a little different). If people don't like filework on a knife then DON"T buy them.

 

[Bruce Bump]

FILEWORK !!!!!! If you have two knives on the table just alike for sale and only one has filework, and even with a higher price tag, will sell faster than a knife with out filework. So if you don't like filework why do you buy them??? Embellishments are cool.
Yes, I do file work on the handle and I fill them with black epoxy , and no it don't fall out. And not saying that someday I may have to fix one. A knife should not have a point or tip it may break off , Really???
A knife with a little embellishments is what custom knives is all about ( something a little different). If people don't like filework on a knife then DON"T buy them.

Sorry to ruffle your feathers Art. Just giving my opinion. Wait a minute, a tip on a knife is neccesary, filework isnt.

 

[ArtinNC]

Ha ha ha hee hee you didn't ruffle any of my feathers, but it does sound like it don't it ?. Just giving my opinion. Hee hee you never used a knife with out a tip?? I'v used a knife for years and didn't even know it had a broken tip..

 

[bootstrap]

I have always like the vine pattern, but for knives that I purchase, file work needs to be simple. Like mentioned above, if its done well, people with love it FO SHO!