Here is another option for holding the blade for hand filing. I use a standard woodworking clamp fastened in a bench vise to hold the blade horizontally.

Once again, this is a hazardous position, MAKE CERTAIN ALL THE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN RUN OUT OF THE SHOP - THIS IS RIGHT AT EYE LEVEL FOR LITTLE PEOPLE!

You’ll only want to work on the portion closest to the clamp because of vibration - this isn’t as much of a problem on larger, thicker blades, but was definitely a problem with such a long, thin blade as this.


Here’s the blade in the handle, with a rough lens shaped cross-section ground and filed in.