Carbide file guide advice

J

jtwodogs

Joined
Feb 1, 2009
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I have been shopping for a carbide file guide.
I have seen one that is mounted on aluminum.
The other more expensive ones are mounted on hardened steel.
Advantages and disadvantages to both for those that have experienced them would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
 
Buy one from Bruce Bump. His is stainless with carbide inserts. Highly recommend it.

Uncle Al's file guide has a good reputation as well, but I haven't seen or used one.
 
I have the Bump guide, and am very impressed. The carbide inserts on Uncle Al's are a little wider, but I handled it at Blade, and I thought Bruce's was better built. I don't think you could go wrong with either. I liked the stainless because I don't have to be concerned with it getting wet.
 
The bump guide is awesome. :thumbup: Its stainless, and is unaffected by frequent dunking to keep the blade cool. Before that I used an O1 homemade guide which served its purpose, but was in no way comparable to the guides mentioned above. It seemed expensive when I was considering a guide, but after two blades, it paid for itself when considering my time.
 
Is the Bruce Bump guide available for purchase somewhere or only through PM? Haven't had much success finding where to buy one.
 
I heard my name mentioned here so I'm chiming in.
I do have some available in both 2 and 3" sizes. I generally don't advertise them because as a knife maker I should be making knives. :)
 
Another vote for Bruce's file guides. Sorry Bruce, I know you wanna make knives. :D You do make one heck of a file guide.
 
In have two in carbide and several others in hardened steel. I use Bruce's whenever the results are really important. I hear the Uncle Al's carbide guide is equally good.
 
Yep, buy a SS guide from ol' Bruce. Considering the quality of the materials and craftsmanship its a bargain. You will make hundreds (maybe even thousands) of knives with it before you wear it out.
 
I have only seen Uncle Al's and hear good things. I have Bruce's and use it everyday. I don't worry about dunking it in the water bucket when grinding because it's stainless. Based on my experience with it I can say it is a quality tool and a sound investment.
 
I have one made from aluminum, its works great. That said, one from hardened steel will take more abuse. Especially if you have a brain fart and grind on the wrong side(not against the carbide). Those ceramics chew through aluminum :mad:
 
I've got both Uncle Al's and one of Bruce's older non stainless ones. They are both very well made
but I use Bruce's more because it's a bit lighter and easier to work with.

I need to get around to ordering a 3" SS one from Bruce.
 
I own both and both are good. I bought the one from Bruce because it is HUGE. The place where you have problems with dipping and rusting on any parts that can rust is on the screws and pins, not so much the body. Just keep them oiled up.
 
I'm still curious as to how we could get one? So many have them but it seems like a secret as to how to get it. :confused: I'm afraid to ask as it may be improper here, but how much does Bruce's 2" version cost? And are the 2" & 3" referring to the max width of blade that can fit within it (like the distance from the pins/screws)? Thanks :)

-Paul
My Channel Lsubslimed
 
I actually went ahead and simply emailed Bruce, when this thread came up. He responded almost immediately and was a pleasure to deal with.

Both versions are 120$, I can hardly wait till mine arrives.

Brian
 
95% of the knives I make are full tang knives so I do not get to use a file guide very much but I am unhappy with the one I have and so ordered one of Bruce Bump's carbide file guides today. I have used mine to square the shoulders of full tang blades before fitting the guard. Are there other uses for the file guide that I am not taking advantage of? Please give me a clue if there are uses I am missing. thank You, Larry Lehman
 
I have one from uncle Al. (I didn't know that Bruce made them at the time)
I'm realy happy with it.
I also use it to file the plunge line with a chain saw file. That's my way to get them even.
 
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