For some of us, seeing a knife made from a file brings back memories. Some 'old' timers used to make knives from files all the time, maybe you know a certified 'old timer" who has done this. Many knife makers began their knife making journey with a file as their first blade steel. Same is true for both of us...

As a father and son knife shop we want to be proud of every knife we send out the door with our name on it. We are both machinists with our experience and training from both the civilian and military sector. We know what the corporate "big guys" know, what the military holds secret, and what the experts are hiding... The secret... is in the steel.

We use files because our collective 53 years of experience has taught us one thing, and that thing is FILES CUT!

It sounds silly, but to put it simple, metal manufracturing foundrys make steel for different purposes. These companies have done the elemental work for us. They produce different metals (like a chef, following a recipe) mixing the correct amounts of mixed metals for different applications.

Automotive engine blocks and jet engines are made from a Heat Resitant steel.

Hammers and anvils are made from an Impact resistant steel. 

Springs are made from a Deformation Resitant steel.

And now....

Files are made from a Wear Resistant steel. 

That is what happends when all knives lose their edge... the cutting edge, no matter how razer sharp you get it, the steel will eventually Wear down and become dull. A file is made from a steel designed to cut and hold its edge, cut after cut after cut. Files are one of the best sources of high carbon tool steel the common man can get their hands on. Everytime anyone needs to shape iron, steel, titanium... they reach in the old toolbox for the file.

If you see where this is going you're beginning to understand what we did... What a better steel is there to make a knife from? 

But First... Heat treatment... Files are so tough because they are so hard. So hard that, they're brittle. They can snap like an ice-cicle or glass if not properly heat treated... We conduct a tempering process to the steel to bring that hardness down, re-shape them to blades, then the final process of re-hardening the steel blades to bring them back up but no longer brittle. 

One particular drawback about using a file is of course it is such a high carbon tool steel that it is prone to tarnish if not taken care of from time to time. We understand there are better steels out there that are a little bit more maintenance free in the department of keeping it oiled from time to time to keep the rust mites away, but they make up for it in maintenance required to keep the steel edge sharp from enevitable wear down.

A knife is a tool, a tool is to be used. You will eventually have to care for that tool to keep it performing at its best. A knife made from a file will hold a remarkable edge and a well taken care of tool will last forever.

Either way you are a person who chooses to carry their own knife, (mans first tool) to dominate the wild and be able to use your cutting tool for every daily task and chores. For that we Salute you. Take charge of your destiny, and take a Morris Knife out there with you.