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Filing
- Thread starter michdad
- Start date
question from a noob. My single cut files seem to cut better right to left pullung towards me, and double cut left to right to polish or cut into the ricasso. Is this somethig that I am doing wrong, or that to be expected?
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2005
- Messages
- 475
Not to hi-jack this thread, but what are some good files to use? (I figure ya'll filers answering this thread have much more experience than me in this) I'm using nicholson's now, but feel like I've noticed a decline in performance from when I started making knives and now (Only a year+, there). I don't know if the move to Brazil is the reason, but I feel like I shouldn't have to buy a new 8+ dollar file every 2 knives if I'm only using them (a flat file) to clean up grinds and another file (half round) for finger grooves/etc). I don't care if I gotta pay 20 bucks a file or something, as long as it'll last appreciably (to = extra costs) longer.
Blue,
My Nicholsen files only have a few miles on them, and I have been careful to keep them chalked and brushed. So far they seem like good files. What is out there that might be of better quality? I bought a Snap-On file from a dealer, #$%*& thing says "Made in Portugal". Not sure if composition is the same as Nicholsen, but thought (hoped) it should be good coming straight off of a Snap-On truck.
My Nicholsen files only have a few miles on them, and I have been careful to keep them chalked and brushed. So far they seem like good files. What is out there that might be of better quality? I bought a Snap-On file from a dealer, #$%*& thing says "Made in Portugal". Not sure if composition is the same as Nicholsen, but thought (hoped) it should be good coming straight off of a Snap-On truck.
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2006
- Messages
- 2,418
A double cut file should be less "directional" than a single cut, but you should still be able to draw with it. You can also get very fine single cut files.
This might be helpful to someone:
http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/nicholson_files/Nicholson Guide To Filing 2006.pdf
I'm no expert, so hopefully other people with more experience step in.
This might be helpful to someone:
http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/nicholson_files/Nicholson Guide To Filing 2006.pdf
I'm no expert, so hopefully other people with more experience step in.
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2006
- Messages
- 3,953
Files (at least for me) seem to be directional. The coarser the more directional.
My Nicholson large files seem good, the needle files aren't as good as a HF set I have. There are some expensive German and maybe Swiss files that are better than Nicholson's but mainly for machinist and clock makers and such.
My Nicholson large files seem good, the needle files aren't as good as a HF set I have. There are some expensive German and maybe Swiss files that are better than Nicholson's but mainly for machinist and clock makers and such.
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 1,976
Last year I couldent get out to my shop due to a broaken leg, so I shaped a few knives with only a dremmel and files. I got abought 12 or so 4" to 6" knives beviled with one 12" nickleson file. The file still cuts but is noticable more work.
Keep your files in a sheath and dont let them bang against other metal objects.
Keep your files in a sheath and dont let them bang against other metal objects.