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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
3 square/s sided file source
- Thread starter curtis K
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2011
- Messages
- 913
Have you tried enco, msc, mcmastercarr, fastenal? I was looking at www.use-enco.com the other day, and they seemed to have it all.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2012
- Messages
- 237
Snap on sells a great file. I believe they are made in portugal.
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2010
- Messages
- 2,424
www.artcotools.com or Otto Frei, for new Grobet files, at retail prices.
ebay for new grobet files or old stock nicholson, or simmonds files.
They're getting harder and hard to find the old ones though. I usually pick up as many as I can when I find them for a good price, and pass them on to other makers.
Old USA Nicholsons are A++ quality (except for the last batches made in the final US plant which kind of suck), Mexican Nicholsons are crap, and the Brazillian ones are only B grade at best. Grobet is A+++ still, but pricey. However, invest in some Grobet Valtitan files, and take care of them, and they will last a *very* long time, if you use the appropriate cut for your tasks.
ebay for new grobet files or old stock nicholson, or simmonds files.
They're getting harder and hard to find the old ones though. I usually pick up as many as I can when I find them for a good price, and pass them on to other makers.
Old USA Nicholsons are A++ quality (except for the last batches made in the final US plant which kind of suck), Mexican Nicholsons are crap, and the Brazillian ones are only B grade at best. Grobet is A+++ still, but pricey. However, invest in some Grobet Valtitan files, and take care of them, and they will last a *very* long time, if you use the appropriate cut for your tasks.
synthesist
So many knives so little time
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2004
- Messages
- 933
Otto Frei sells spectacular Grobet Swiss Made Vallorbe files. I like my old Nicholsons but I love breaking out a new Grobet. They have the 3 square you're looking for in 2 lengths and 5 cuts.
00 Extra Coarse
0 Coarse
1 Medium Coarse
2 Medium
4 Fine
Admittedly you might be able to find these cheaper if your google fu is up to snuff
http://www.ottofrei.com/Files/
00 Extra Coarse
0 Coarse
1 Medium Coarse
2 Medium
4 Fine
Admittedly you might be able to find these cheaper if your google fu is up to snuff
http://www.ottofrei.com/Files/
Last edited:
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2013
- Messages
- 194
If you're looking for smaller size American pattern you can find these in many online woodworking tool stores since they are used for sharpening hand saws. I went through this hunt recently when I gave up on Nicholson files.
toolsforworkingwood.com and leevalley.com are two such places.
I mention these as well because the prices do differ (haven't compared them all myself) and because various places have had problems stocking all the sizes of Grobet files this year. Probably because they're selling to all those who used to buy Nicholson!
The even smaller Swiss pattern can also be found at some such places but I've seen the most variety in jewelers supply sites like Otto Frei.
I guess Nicholson decided there is a larger market in one-time home depot file sales to people who won't know the difference than to people who care for and about their tools.
toolsforworkingwood.com and leevalley.com are two such places.
I mention these as well because the prices do differ (haven't compared them all myself) and because various places have had problems stocking all the sizes of Grobet files this year. Probably because they're selling to all those who used to buy Nicholson!
The even smaller Swiss pattern can also be found at some such places but I've seen the most variety in jewelers supply sites like Otto Frei.
I guess Nicholson decided there is a larger market in one-time home depot file sales to people who won't know the difference than to people who care for and about their tools.