File Branding

[matt denison]

I have file branded several things. I took an old bastard file that would'nt cut anymore, put a long flat handle on it so I could hold it over a camp fire without scorching my knuckles as a native would have done. Although I do use a torch in the shop to heat it. (cheating...) I have a piece of scrap handy and when I think the file is approaching the correct temp I test it on the scrap first. As Chuck said you can get it too hot and it will just burn a black strip rather than a pattern of the teeth. For authenticity sake I don't lay anything out, just let it flow as would a Sioux or Blackfoot would have done 150 years ago, no ruler or pencil lines. Just brand the thing. I also have a piece of old barrel that I use as a brand in conjunction with the file brand. It has been seen where certain decoration have been burned into pieces with the hot muzzle of a smoothbore. It makes a nice round circle, 3/4 " OD and 20 gage ID. :grin:

 

[crockett]

I think files that were pre-1840 were all hand cut. I know Sam Colt was trying to patent or develop a file cutting machine and the price of files dropped dramatically after they started to be mass produced. On a hawk with the file burn marks- I wonder if the marks on the hawk can identify a pre or post 1840 file and therefore date the hawk.