Forging non flat files into knifes?

[knifewrench]

Hello all I have been lurking around for a while and have made a few blades and I have a good supply of old files of assorted shapes and sizes and I was thinking of playing with a bit of forging with some of the files I have that are not of much use to me. I have some quite nice big files that I think might be possible to forge into blades but has anyone forged say a half round file or any other shape into a blade or flat bar? I have nothing to lose really but is there any tips when hammering and should I make the metal into a square then beat out or just try and get the shape straght away?

Any tips would be really helpfull or is it just not possible!

Thanks

J

[lilzee]

yeah, i'd try to flatten it out, you may need to put it on it's edge and squish them in a bit, but that's up to you. making flat bars isn't too hard. i've never done from half round, but it cant be much different that a full round.

[jamiemackie]

Ive used half round files before and it can be done. Its hard work and you will need to flatten it out first. Just make sure you dont fold over the edges or you will get cold shuts, you may need to tap the edges to keep it square but it is possible, just annoying.

Jamie

[knifewrench]

Thanks for the replys. I thought it might be a bit annoying to do like you say about the edge folding over but if it possible then I will give it a go, I have some big square files that would be better but I dont want to use them untill I can beat metal with a degree of accuracy!
Just need this snow to block me in for a few days and I can get the forge stoked up instead of going to work!