Let's Talk Multi-tool Metal Files

[Kevin Miller]

My Victorinox Swisstool that I've had for years has what I believe is a carbon steel file with a high hardness. It's hard enough to throw sparks when struck with a piece of flint without leaving much of a trace. I like to have this option for starting fires using flint and steel.

So I recently purchased a new Swilltool X that has what I would call a soft file since it will not throw sparks and will leave marks where it was struck.

So my question is, what new multi-tools out there have metal files that are hard enough to throw sparks when struck with a piece of flint? Also, when did Victorinox switch to these softer files?

 

[Kevin Miller]

Nobody knows when Victorinox changed their files? Here's a pic of the two file types side by side with the newer one on the left and the older, harder file on the right.

 

[Gareth UK]

I believe that Victorinox changed from carbon based files to the more aggressive stainless steel files in 2005. So it's not so much that your new file is soft, rather that stainless is rubbish for getting a spark from. As a file though I much prefer the newer one.

 

[Kevin Miller]

Thanks for the reply Gareth. While I agree that the newer file is more aggressive than the older version that does not necessarily make it better. The newer file is in fact softer than the older version as is illustrated by the photo below. Observe how the file on the right, which is the newer version, has larger, deeper markings from being struck with flint. Compare this with the file on the left, the older version, which has markings that are barely noticeable. I think you are correct however that stainless is rubbish for creating sparks.