Best file for Axe Sharpening?

[Susan14]

What are the thoughts on the current Brazilian made Nicholson offerings?

Trying to a solid buying online but they are about all I can find locally.

I buy my files from Germany- Helko. Specifically for axes.

 

[Square_peg]

I buy my files from Germany- Helko. Specifically for axes.

Are they any good? Can you show us an axe you've filed with them?

From

Dual Sided Axe File

Quality hand crafted German axes made by one of Europe's oldest axe manufacturers, Helko-Werk.

www.helkonorthamerica.com

Specifications for Heavy File

- German C125W2 high carbon tool steel

Googling 'C125W2' I mostly find Chinese sites. And Helko axes are made of C50, not an especially good steel for axes. It wouldn't take a particularly good file to sharpen them.

 

[The Old Dog]

I put a bunch of old saw files and a couple of flat files in a vinegar bath for 5 days. I rinsed them in water and sprayed wd40 on them, and they cut great. Who knew! Dog

 

[catspa]

Citric acid is another soak for old files, although I’ve never done it for 5 days. Once you scrub the black residue off them, they’re much improved.

Parker

 

[9050lx]

I gotta find my old stash of mill bastards in the attic somewhere, used to be a formica laminator.Quickie file clean tip:run backwards on a squared edge of a piece of soft wood.