All About Pocket Knives

im using a metal file and trying to shape my handle. No matter hwo long or hard I scrape, it doenst change

Files are a picky thing. The right tool makes all the difference. some are designed for use on metals, some work better for wood.

Example:
For general rough shaping of a handle (which is already cut close to the final outline with a saw) I use a Nicholson double cut 8" Flat Bastard file, with a rather aggressive pattern to it. It is designed for, as it says on the box, rapid removal of stock.

Once I get close to a final shape, I clean up the filing marks with a smaller, Nicholson single cut mill bastard file, 6", with a much finer tooth pattern. it takes out all the rough edges and smooths down my wood right to where I need it to be for sanding.


While filing, I keep my work stationary in a vise (jaws padded with good ol blue tape, a few layers), so I don't have to worry about it walking away on me.
your mileage my vary.

I do most of my shaping with the band saw or the belt or disc sander.
The final shaping I do by hand sanding.
I almost never use files on wood, though I use them extensively on bone & stag.

Just the way I do it,
Dale

Oh yea, shaping with a sander is infinitely quicker and much less painful. After all, that's what it's designed for. That's one thing I really do miss, My current house simply doesn't have the room for a workshop, not even a garage to putz around in. I was used to having a full fledged basement shop when I lived with my parents.

Cocobolo is somewhat oily wood like osage and lignum vitae. It has a tendansy to gum-up belts and files. When using a sander, run it slow and reverse the belt occasionally. When using a file,after every stroke lightly backstrok the surface , this will help to clean out the flukes

After cutting out the handles,

when I get close and into more detail areas on the handles, I use my small shaping tools, like wizzard or dremel. You have to be careful with the small power tools. They will remove to much materal to fast if not careful. Then hand sand to finish.

Hope it helps
MLB

Yes, Cocobolo is an oily wood and when you go to finish it, carnuba wax works well. I don't know what file you are using AND I don't know if you have a good cutting file. Whatever file you have it's going to load up with the dust from the wood. Actually it will ball up unfer the file and make is difficult to file or shape. You will want to keep a file card on hand to clean the file, not the best tool for the job. The dust from cocobolo can be a major irratant, even give a poison ivy type rash - this is common. I use my 4 x 36 sander on cocobolo as long as I stop every now and then to cleam it with a belt cleaner.

http://www.texasknife.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=225_832

I get much better results using power tools than if I were to file, I'd save the file for metal work and use a rasp for my shaping. When using a power tool with cocobolo, I would use a repirataor - carttridge type, not just a dust mask to protect my lungs.

Everyone in the world is alergic to wood, some worse than others, I hate the smell more than anything hahahah when it comes to cocobolo.
The woods that smell the best when being burnt at high speeds with belts or discs do not make very good handles in my opinion.
Although plastisizing some of them would be interesting from what I hear.
Rusty

I hear that Cocobolo is irritating to the lungs so DO wear a respirator when sanding and grinding! Don't want to get the dreaded consumption that did so many cutlers in in years gone by.

someone handed me some pretty wood two weeks ago...i took the file and saw to it..made myself sick as a puppie for a week..still coughing up brown dust...guess what wood it is? ...cocobetterwearamaskandgloves...nasty stuff...then the knife i was rebuilding ended up looking like a mauser bayonet...duh.
anyway...cocobolo is toxic for me. easy to form...takes a nice polish.

Cocobolo is not only a serious irratant to the lungs but to the skin also. Some have had such severe reactions to it that they believe it's related to poison ivy. It's not but you CAN have the same reaction. Gloves sleeves and respirator are recommended. If you have difficulty breathing a call to 911 is advisable. Dust mask is inadequate.

Contact dermititis is common, if it can make your skin blister ask yourself what it is doing to your lungs! If you have a severe reaction, it may be advisable to go get immediate treatment.

the friend who gave me the cocobolo is a redhead..and he broke out in a rather impressive rash when working a piece...
pretty wood if you don't die of it.