Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Knife Filer

🎯 Role Definition

As a Knife Filer, you are the cornerstone of our production quality and efficiency. You will be a skilled artisan responsible for maintaining the sharpness and integrity of all cutting tools and blades used throughout our facility. This hands-on role requires a deep understanding of grinding machinery, metal properties, and precision measurement. You will work independently to diagnose, sharpen, repair, and manage our inventory of blades, directly impacting the plant's productivity, safety, and the quality of our finished products. Your expertise ensures that our operations run smoothly and without interruption.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Machine Operator
Maintenance Apprentice
General Production Worker with mechanical aptitude

Advancement To:

Lead Knife Filer / Head Filer
Maintenance Supervisor
Quality Control Manager

Lateral Moves:

Industrial Machinist
Tool and Die Maker

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Expertly operate a variety of automatic and manual knife grinding machines to sharpen, hone, and finish industrial blades to exact specifications.
Perform comprehensive visual and manual inspections of all cutting tools, including chipper knives, saw blades, and slicer blades, to identify cracks, defects, or excessive wear.
Utilize precision measuring instruments such as micrometers, calipers, and dial indicators to verify blade angles, dimensions, and tolerances meet strict quality standards.
Set up grinding and sharpening equipment, selecting and installing the correct grinding wheels, fixtures, and machine settings for various blade types and materials.
Execute advanced bench work on saws and blades, including precision hammering, tensioning, and leveling to correct imperfections and ensure true, straight cutting performance.

Conduct quality control checks on all finished blades to ensure superior sharpness, proper bevels, and the absence of burrs before returning them to the production floor.

Perform specialized welding (e.g., Stellite tipping, TIG) to repair cracked or broken band saws and circular saws, restoring them to full operational integrity.
Troubleshoot and diagnose issues with blade performance in the production environment, collaborating with operators to resolve cutting problems.
Maintain an accurate and detailed digital log of all blade maintenance activities, including sharpening cycles, repairs, and performance history, to track blade lifespan.
Manage the complete inventory of new and used knives, grinding wheels, and related filing room supplies, initiating purchase orders to prevent shortages.

Secondary Functions

Perform routine preventative maintenance, calibration, and minor repairs on all filing room machinery to ensure safe and efficient operation and minimize downtime.
Adhere strictly to all company and OSHA safety protocols, including Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) procedures and the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Maintain the cleanliness and organization of the filing room, ensuring all tools, equipment, and work surfaces are kept in excellent, audit-ready condition.
Assist in the training and mentorship of apprentice filers or machine operators on the fundamentals of blade maintenance, safety, and quality inspection.
Collaborate directly with production supervisors to align filing room priorities with the production schedule, ensuring a consistent supply of sharp blades.
Monitor the consumption rate of blades and sharpening supplies to provide data for departmental budget planning and cost-control initiatives.
Prepare and package sharpened blades for safe transport and distribution back to various departments within the plant.
Research and recommend new technologies, materials, or techniques in blade maintenance to drive continuous improvement in quality and efficiency.
Read and interpret technical drawings, work orders, and manufacturer specifications to determine the exact sharpening and repair requirements for specialized tools.
Provide expert feedback to management and engineering teams on blade quality and supplier performance.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Grinding Machine Operation: Proficiency in operating and setting up manual and CNC knife/saw grinding machines.
Precision Measurement: Expertise in using micrometers, calipers, protractors, and dial indicators to verify tolerances to the thousandth of an inch.
Blade & Saw Repair: Skilled in saw welding (TIG/Stellite), blade repair, tensioning, and leveling techniques.
Mechanical Aptitude: Strong ability to perform preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs on filing room equipment.
-Metallurgy Knowledge: Solid understanding of the properties of different types of steel, carbide, and other alloys used in cutting tools.
Blueprint Reading: Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and work orders.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: An exceptional eye for detail and a commitment to precision and quality in every task.
Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to diagnose and correct complex blade and machine issues effectively.
Time Management: Excellent ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet a demanding production schedule with minimal supervision.
Safety Consciousness: A proactive and dedicated approach to workplace safety, with a thorough understanding of machine guarding and LOTO.
Communication: Clear and effective communication skills for collaborating with production teams, supervisors, and trainees.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

Certificate or Associate's Degree from a vocational or technical college in Machining, Industrial Maintenance, or a related trade.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Machining Technology
Industrial Maintenance Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5 years of hands-on experience in a saw filing, knife grinding, or industrial sharpening role.

Preferred: Experience in a high-volume manufacturing, sawmill, or food processing environment is highly desirable. Demonstrable experience with the specific types of blades and equipment used in our industry will be a significant advantage.