The Best Files!

Peter Atwood

Peter Atwood

Joined
Oct 26, 2000
Messages
2,468
Hey, here's a question that you don't see often....What are your favorite files and where did you get them? I've been seeing all different kinds lately in various catalogs including Rio Grande and others. What files have you found that work the best for the different functions, filework, cleanup of blade grinds, general cleanup, titanium, hardened steel, etc. Cleaning tricks, handle tricks, best shapes for different functions.....Let's hear what all is "known" about the subject of files!
 
Personally, I have found Grobet better for everything I use files for. Rio Grande doesn't have many though. I've bought them as I've found them, no place in particular.
 
GOOD QUESTION!!! i need to get some files too and am eager to hear the comments...

if i may be so bold as to add to this question -- can one of you pros suggest a basic list for someone getting started in knifemaking? what types of files are general "must haves" and in what sizes?
 
Pre-loading a file with chalk will help keep the teeth clean. (Always use a file card when you're finished cutting.)

Oh..... and I prefer "mill bastids!" :p
 
How about the hardness testing file sets? Any better brands or places to buy them?
 
So where are you guys getting the fancy Swiss files? Anybody try the diamond files? Are there file cards that work better than others? Anybody besides Mr. Tom Anderson who preloads their files with chalk? :p
 
Guys: The best files are Sears Craftsman. You can use them up and then, take them to Sears and they will replace them with brand new.
Yes, that's right. Buy one and it will last you your whole life.

RJ Martin
 
The Nicholson plant isn't that far away from me and so I find them at the flea markets that people get form the plant as seconds or rejects at really reasonable prices sometimes.When I do I load up on them..Then when I use them up I make a knife out of it or put it in a Damascus mix,Recycling the steel if you know what I mean..
Bruce
 
I just found an older box of 6" Nicholson Black Diamond mill baastard files and they work beautifully. However it seems to me like the newer Nicholson files don't last as long as the older ones. This may just be me but I've heard that they aren't as high quality as they used to be. Does anyone know anything about this?

That said I have fallen in love with my 12" files, a Craftsman mill bastard, a Grobet second cut and a Grobet smooth cut. With these files I have eliminated a LOT of finishing work with papers. By draw filing you can get at least a 220 to 300 grit finish.

I have some Swedish Oberg files that I haven't had a chance to use yet, but they have good reviews from people I've talked to.

I love files, all shapes and sizes and I love filing. I try to set up all my files with their own handles. Keep them clean with a file card. The ones with fine brushes on one side and wire brushes on the other are well worth buying.

Here's a great trick I learned on another forum. For those hard to remove bits of metal that get stuck between the teeth take a brass catridge from a fired round of ammunition and rub the open end along the teeth where the chip is stuck. The file teeth rapidly cut into the thin wall of the brass cartridge allowing you to clean to the bottom of the valleys betwen the teeth.
 
There are a lot of cheap needle files around, but for filework, I have found that quality truly makes a difference. the cheaper ones I have used don't give crisp corners, and in some cases don't even cut corners (because they cut corners:rolleyes: in the manufacturing). The teeth don't extend crisply to the edge, so it is almost impossible to get a smooth clean cut.
 
Mundele, are you serious about needle rasps. To me a rasp is a big, rough --->WOOD<--- file. A needle file is completely different. Is there such a thing or I a sucker for even responding?

Silent: Can you really get a better than 240 grit finish from draw filing? I remember my shop teacher talking about a fine finish from draw filing (20 years ago) but haven't done much draw filing since. I do still have a few pieces left over from those days and none of them have a finish as fine as that.

I guess the question is: Do you get better as you get older and more patient, and were my earlier draw filing attempts bad because I have no talent? Or can I blame my previous metalworking failures as youthful lack of attention to detail and on public school shop class worn out files?

jmx
 
I have used a lot of different file brands like Nicholson, Sandvik, Oberg, Dick, Pferd, Hase and others. But definitely the best files are made by

Grobet Vallorbe

in Switzerland. I even had the possibility to visit the steel mill

Aciers du Tarn

in France that makes the steel bars used in the Grobet files and now i know at least a part of their quality secret. For us over here in Europe it's not a big problem to get hold of them.

Good needle rasps are sold by Dick Feine Werkzeuge in Germany. Their whole catalog is on the net. The URL is:

http://www.dick-gmbh.de/

Achim
 
i find that it depends on what i am working with.
i was given a set of jewellers needle files for a steal price not too long ago ..
they work great so long as you are going to do your file work when the blade is totally totally annealed.
they are fragile in the way of how long they last otherwise.

but i have had this set for about 2 years now and i seem to do fine with them. (IMHO)

otherwise it is just Nicholsons for me.
mainly because they are easy to obtain .. and like Bruce .. when the file has done its service .. into damascus it goes.
nothing lost nor wasted.

& Nicholsons does this little contact file made from tungsten and its really cheap and thin .. so i love it for little fiddly bits.
and it seems to last a fair decent while.

hmm .. i dont think i am much help in this topic. ;)

D.
 
Grobet, by far. Look up mscdirect.com they have a catalog big enough that ups delivers them. They got the files. To get a fine finish by draw filing, use a single cut but get them with a finer tooth.
 
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