A while back I mentioned that Viet Namese blacksmiths used a scraper on metal to keep from using up files more quickly than needed.  I found a picture.  There are three in this picture, though one is mostly obscured at the bottom of the pic.  On the site where I found this picture, they were misidentified as spoke shaves.  Look for the perpendicular handles on what look a lot like carriage makers routers.

This picture shows a Viet Namese blacksmith and tool maker,  He's working on a 3/8 inch mortising chisel of traditional pattern.

The cast brass fittings on the Queen Ann cutlasses (circa 1730) were smoothed with scrapers rather than files, as can be seen if you ever run across one of that vintage.

Cool Branson.  Did they do a good job on firescale?

Quote from: Stoney on December 03, 2011, 06:20:18 PM
Cool Branson.  Did they do a good job on firescale?

Yeah, they worked fine on scale.  Especially if you made the blade from an old file and hardened and tempered it right.  There's a bit in the Fox Fire book on smithing about hardening a punch tip.  Works really great, and does a good job on scrapers like these.  And when they get dull, a short trip to the grinder puts them back in service.

In Cambodia, 1962 with the MACV, we made our own combat knives in my hamlet.
Yes, files were used. Our local Chieftain would use their forge to make the rough forging, and I would then start the sharpening process.
The handle was made of "obtained" electronic insulator mylar material.
I daily fondle my Tunnel knife every time I am in my shop.
The memories then begin to flow. I am here and they are not.

Care to share a picture of your tunnel knife?  I, at least, would be interested in seeing it.

My experience with SE Asians came with working with the refugees in 1975.  There were never enough surviving Cambodians to get to know much, since only about 1% survived to get across the Thai border.  What kind of tools did they use?  I've worked with Hmong and Mien (Meo and Yao) smiths, and seen and used their tools, one or two Viet-Namese, but know not a thing about Cambodian smiths, their tools and techniques.

Electronic insulator mylar...  In the camps, the Hills Peoples were the ultimate recyclers,  All the bands they used for the wood sheathes were made from strips of plastic medical containers -- like our milk containers.  An older knife I saw used sections from an old flashlight body for the banding.  The plastic scraps from making the bands were stuffed into the tang holes in the handles were used as glue, and the heated tang of the knives were thrust in, melting the plastic.  Worked well.

They all did a lot of things because nobody ever explained they couldn't. 

Branson, they are like bumble bees.  According to 'The Theory of Aerodynamics', bumble bees can't fly but since they can't read the book, they don't know that they can't fly ,so fly they do.

I have seen people using one tooth files, or scrapers. I haven't gotten around to making any though, I don't know whats stopping me??
But I'd be comfortable as old shoes with the guys who are working here and the ones from the Philippines too.
I am a born scrounge, not ashamed a bit.
  Not sure why, but I've always been this way.     

Lets see,
#1   A pipe T with a scrap of pipe welded on, 1/2 a used brass pipe flange and 1/2 a brass electrical connector. Plus a chunk of broken shovel handle and some scrap used lead. 

Notice the silver fingernail?
I have a terrible habit I can't seem to stop.   I had to make and wear that thing. Still have it handy but haven't needed to use it much lately.
  If I play guitar for extended periods I will wear all the way though the fingernail in one corner down to the blood.  Before I notice.
I think I gimp up my feet some and dance around a little too, but playing full on to reach the sky like I do, its easy to lose track of what your body is doing.   
So I pounded out a fingernail guard and super glue will keep it in place for about 10 or 12 days.
I wish I needed it lately but you know how music goes. Or comes and goes, truthfully.

  #2   I really like to use old female garden hose rings for the tops of chisel handles. They can be screwed on very tight if you turn the tenon correctly (plain rings often loosen up over time) and if you keep your eyes open, almost every garden hose company uses different pattern rings.
Its like a free candy store to me.

#3   Rusty boneyard plate steel.  Used slide balance scale beam brass. Old used lamp parts.
Some of the pewter was purchased bullion but some was used broken table goods or broken toy figurines.

By boneyard scrap, this means old rusty piles of metal you see around behind plants, factories and even gas stations and auto parts stores. Not to mention the town dump.

  #4   An ancient used apple press screw and some boneyard scrap plate steel and angle iron.
   With slices of pipe for spacers.   

 
I buy,
Silver and bronze solder. A tiny bit of nickel silver and brass plate. Some precious wood, but mostly in very small scrap sizes and I'm set for a while now. Lots of small wood now. I have to search/shop for it. 
   An occasional piece of tubing plus, a little rod and a few rivets.
I have to buy welding rod once every decade and acetylene gas has become horrible as gold bullion. I live in fear of my acetylene tank running out.
but otherwise.....................

   You guys didn't think I actually -buy- much, did ya?? heheehehehe
  yours Scott