Cabinet Makers Files

D

Doug Adams

Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
101
Does anyone use cabinet makers files or some kind of rasp to help shape their wooden knife handles? I was surprised at the cost of cabinet makers files.

Doug

JN. 3:16
 
It's a file inserted into the Bible under section New Testament, book of John, chapter 3, verse 16.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."
 
Amen.


"Well, what's that got to do with cabinet makers rasps ? "
Jesus was a carpenter. ;)


There are all kinds of files you can use for shaping handles. If one type is too expensive keep looking. You will find something in your budget. Heck, even the Harbor Freight files will work well enough on most wood handles, and the are inexpensive.
 
There is a sharpening service for files, Flat rate service, so the more the cheaper


No need to throw the expensive files away every time.
 
For handle shaping I recommend a Nicholson 6 inch half round file. They are less than $10 at Lowest or Home Depot.
 
To answer the original question. The Nicholson cabinet makers files are expensive even though they are now made in Brazil, but they are a very nice tool. They leave a fishing that is very easy to sand smooth. karl Anderson turned me onto them a few years back. The really isn't much of a difference between the #49 and #50, at least for our purposes.
 
Those must be some awesome files !
Like most things I guess,
Quality ain't cheap.
 
Last edited:
They were around $50 a pop when I bought mine like 5 years ago. The good news is that they last a long time, assuming that you just use them on wood.
 
Yes, Joe, I did.

Tell you what, I've been using my #49 and #50 almost exclusively for well over a decade. And I am still using them on virtually every knife today. And I have been a full time maker for over 5 years and quite prolific even before that.
It was a one time cost.
Grinding belts are bought and replaced over and over.
And they cut so sharp and so crisply that I am in control all the time, with each and every stroke and never get in trouble.
They EAT!!!!!!!!! wood, micarta, stag, ivory, etc.

this is on the floor at my feet:







 
Thanks for the info. I believe this is what I need to get. I go a little too far before I know it with my belt grinder. What is the difference between the #49 and the #50? And are these Nicholsons?

Thanks,
Doug Adams
Jn. 3:16
 
Karl,
Love that last photo!
My father would approve.
Full strokes, one direction, fluid n steady.
No choppy back and forth seesaw filing at his house.
Dozier
 
Karl, I have had one for at least 5 years and gave one of them as a gift to a fellow maker who helped me out with some stuff back in 2013. I was hesitant to tell anyone that they are probably okay for some composites like Micarta because I have only used them on natural and stablized wood, but there you go. ;) It was also you who clued me into the fact that they leave a very easy to deal with "rough" surface finish that to me is much easier to smooth out than say 36 griit belt scratches. The close up picture that you posted shows that very well. :thumbup:
Karl B. Andersen said:
Yes, Joe, I did.

Tell you what, I've been using my #49 and #50 almost exclusively for well over a decade. And I am still using them on virtually every knife today. And I have been a full time maker for over 5 years and quite prolific even before that.
It was a one time cost.
Grinding belts are bought and replaced over and over.
And they cut so sharp and so crisply that I am in control all the time, with each and every stroke and never get in trouble.
They EAT!!!!!!!!! wood, micarta, stag, ivory, etc.

this is on the floor at my feet:







Click to expand...
 
Keep in mind that since Nicholson moved their production to Brazil, some cabinet makers are very disappointed with the quality.
You may also consider the Grobet cabinet rasps.
Don't be discouraged about the price.
You only need to pay it one time and the savings from buying belts and the lack of dust in your shop will more than make you very, very happy.
I've been promoting and encouraging the use of files like these for hidden tang knives for a very long time.
The really smart guys take that advice. :cool:
 
Dang!!! How good were they before the move to Brazil? I thought that the early Brazilian Nicholsons were hand cut. Lee Valley is getting $76 and $86 for the two Groberts they carry. the Nicholson #49 appears to typically sell for around $45 and the #50 for $55, but I did see one place that had the #49 for $35. Now if you want to go super crazy, find out what rasp bespoke shoemakers like John Lob use for making lasts. With what they charge for shoes, they are clearly going to be buying the best of the best tools. :eek: The Aurioa equivalent to a Nicholson #50 goers for $135 so ia ma scared to see what some of the high end handmade pieces might go for!!!!!
Karl B. Andersen said:
Keep in mind that since Nicholson moved their production to Brazil, some cabinet makers are very disappointed with the quality.
You may also consider the Grobet cabinet rasps.
Don't be discouraged about the price.
You only need to pay it one time and the savings from buying belts and the lack of dust in your shop will more than make you very, very happy.
I've been promoting and encouraging the use of files like these for hidden tang knives for a very long time.
The really smart guys take that advice. :cool:
Click to expand...
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
Keep in mind that since Nicholson moved their production to Brazil, some cabinet makers are very disappointed with the quality.
You may also consider the Grobet cabinet rasps.
Don't be discouraged about the price.
You only need to pay it one time and the savings from buying belts and the lack of dust in your shop will more than make you very, very happy.
I've been promoting and encouraging the use of files like these for hidden tang knives for a very long time.
The really smart guys take that advice. :cool:
Click to expand...

Karl B. Andersen said:
Yes, Joe, I did.

Tell you what, I've been using my #49 and #50 almost exclusively for well over a decade. And I am still using them on virtually every knife today. And I have been a full time maker for over 5 years and quite prolific even before that.
It was a one time cost.
Grinding belts are bought and replaced over and over.
And they cut so sharp and so crisply that I am in control all the time, with each and every stroke and never get in trouble.
They EAT!!!!!!!!! wood, micarta, stag, ivory, etc.

this is on the floor at my feet:







Click to expand...
Which would you recommend if a guy was just going to buy one of them?
 
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