r/victorinox • u/misterbb Hodinkee Classic • 4h ago

Sharpen the nail file into a small knife?

Hello,

I am trying to make a dedicated whittling SAK that is as thin as possible. Tools that I need are small knife, big knife, and saw. Awl would be nice too.

I don't want to bother with putting together a custom set of tools, after researching it it sounds pretty difficult.

Instead I intend to use a Evo Junior 09 and sharpen the NAIL FILE into a blade! (also will reprofile the big blade)

Has anyone ever sharpened the nail file into a knife? Any reason it WOULDN'T work? I'm just assuming it's the same steel as the small blade, so should sharpen like normal?

Sorry if this question has already been asked -- I've googled this a bunch and have not found anything (though it's hard to search for, the results are all about using a nail file to sharpen a blade)

1 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

4

u/Deathmonger1911 SPIRIT MXBS 4h ago

Isn't the steel less hardened on a file? If so then the edge retention would be abysmal

2

u/misterbb Hodinkee Classic 4h ago

Ah I think you're right, per the internet 53 HRC on the nail file vs 55-56 for the blade

1

u/DeFiClark 3h ago

It’s only slightly softer. The sharpened file on my Wenger holds an edge fine. I honed it to a 20 degree single face grind; anything steeper would undoubtedly have worse edge holding. That said, primary use case for me has always been to avoid using the main blade for package opening.

Worth pointing out that even the main SAK blade is comparatively soft steel, even D2 tool steel is harder. And D2 is hardly a model of edge retention.

2

u/SuloMatic 2h ago

I thought edge retention is the only thing that D2 is doing exceptionally well.

1

u/DeFiClark 2h ago

Well, versus traditional carbon steel, sure. But premium stainless and high vanadium steels are far better.

1

u/SuloMatic 1h ago

Thanks for the info man. What's the reason ppl hype it so much? It's only semi-stainless and a pain in the ass to sharpen, from what i read. So if the edge retention is also not the best, i don't see a reason to prefer it.

1

u/DeFiClark 1h ago

Good steel for performance characteristics at relatively low cost.

3

u/whattowhittle 4h ago

I was in the same boat as you and settled on the Swiss Army Harvester. I shaped the hook blade into a sheepsfoot blade and have been plenty satisfied. Something to consider : )

2

u/misterbb Hodinkee Classic 3h ago

Ok thank, good idea. I was hoping for something in the 85mm zone but the alox might make up for it. Probably feels better in hand to have that taller small blade too. Any special tips regarding re-shaping the blade?

1

u/DeFiClark 3h ago

Don’t use a grinder, use a flat file first then progressive hones once you have the blade geometry right.

1

u/whattowhittle 2h ago

Like Clark said, I just used a file, then sandpaper, then stones. Slow and steadt but worth it. Been whittling with it today and still enjoying it for the past 5+ years : )

1

u/DeFiClark 4h ago

I put an edge on the file on a Wenger with a serrated edge main blade, but only on the back side of the point so the file could still be used. 20 degree angle first with a file then a series of hones. Used primarily for package opening, to keep from getting tape or cardboard anywhere near the serrated edge.

Has worked well for years. Wouldn’t have bothered if the Wenger was straight edge and could be sharpened easily.

1

u/misterbb Hodinkee Classic 3h ago

Thanks! Good to know not only it worked but it lasted a while!

1

u/ComfortableGarbage37 3h ago

As already mentioned, the Harvester with a reprofiled blade would work well. Haven't done it to mine yet because I like the hawksbill for gardening/yardwork. In my opinion, the Hiker is probably the best stock model for whittling. I generally prefer the corkscrew as a back tool, but the screwdriver is much more comfortable when using the small blade for an extended period of time.