Good Deal??? Large Nicholson Files(16" & 14")

R

Risccas

Joined
May 6, 2015
Messages
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I am 100% newbie to both knife making and this forum. Been trying to learn as much as I can from older threads. I have spent the last few weeks accumulating the basic hand tools needed to start this hobby. I live in a small town(population 700) in SE Oklahoma, so I have had to order most items off the internet. We do have a very small hardware store here though, so I went there today hoping they might have a few good quality files.
What I found kinda surprised me. On a bottom shelf they had several dusty bulk boxes of NOS large Nicholson files, made in USA of course.

They had:
Qty: 20-25 16" Mill Bastard files
Qty: 15-20 14" Flat Bastard files

All were $5.49/each, the price was written on the boxes w/ a marker, so I think that was likely the original price when they first sourced them.

So here are my questions that I hope I can get some help with.

#1 Is that a good price or a fantastic price? I haven't seen any that size, so I have nothing to compare it to.

#2 Are those too large really for making knives?

#3 Is the quality of those files less than the ones that are packaged individually? This might be a dumb question, but I am a mega-newbie at this stuff.

#4 Should I buy as many as I can afford, or will 2-3 of each last me a VERY long time?

Thanks again for the help that you have already given me via older posts!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Jason
 
I'm a newbie too, but (basically) all of my knives have been beveled with a file about that size, so definitely not too big, I'm actually considering upgrading to a larger one. You'll definitely get better advice from the more experienced forum members, but I'd jump on that deal, files are invaluable, especially when starting out. I just checked amazon, new files that size are usually around $20, and considering it's NOS Nicholson, those will probably be higher quality than newer files. I'd grab a couple of each size if I were you. They will likely last a while, so no need to have a crate of them.
 
Most Nicholson files around 10" are around 9 bucks or so depending if they are round files or double cut bastard..etc. for that price I'd say ur getting a great deal.

For beggining pick up a handful maybe 2 of each kind. Nicholson files are the best common files out there so they will last a while.

A common mistake people have with thinking their files are worn down is that they are actually too dirty to file any more material away. It's important u pick up a good file cleaner( just a wire brush).

As far as the size just imagine what ur gonna be doing with them. In my experience the longer they are the more surface space u have to grind away material. But to each his own try picking up some files in some other sizes as well if u can. If not I think you'd do fine with what's available. Especially as a beginning knife maker.

Best of luck
 
If you find old Nicholson files grab them !!! In more recent times the company ha gone to getting their files from overseas !! Mexico & Brazil which are much lower quality. Sad to see another company drop it's quality especially since Nicholson was a quality standard.
 
Large bastard files like those are great for draw filing big knives and swords. I would have offered to buy both boxes for $4 per file. You could sell them at a hammer-in or knife show for $10 each easily.
 
Has anyone online performed any objective tests on the Mexican and Brazilian files compared to the USA made? Just curious how folks are basing their comparison and settling on the USA made are superior.
 
You might search through the forum but it's things like warped files and other good features !!!
 
My first knife build was an old nicholson file that I sent to be HT by Peters. As you can see it is a fledgling first knife attempt. But what surprised me was it's ability to get and hold a very keen edge. Scary sharp.
I told Peters what it started out as and they treated it the same as some other Aldos 1095 stock I sent with it.
10923827_900731716644518_8912187856929905059_n1_zps811f7d3f.jpg
 
If you're not buying them all let me know and I'll take whatever you don't.

Corey "synthesist" Gimbel
 
PT Doc said:
Has anyone online performed any objective tests on the Mexican and Brazilian files compared to the USA made? Just curious how folks are basing their comparison and settling on the USA made are superior.
Click to expand...

I'm basing it off of the sudden drop in longevity when the Nicholson files I buy at Home Depot went from saying "Made in USA" to "Made in Mexico". Immediately. And they haven't improved since then.

All my forged blades have filed bevels, and the Nicholsons wear out so much faster than they used to it's disgusting. Gonna look at getting some Pferds.
 
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