Many years ago, I made a skinning knife for a friend from a Nicholson file. I did not have quite the proper oil for quenching. Did not know as much about HT as I thought I did. Made, and HT'd his blade just by color, and tempered with a propane torch. He came back a month later, and ordered three more for relatives. He had skinned, and worked 3 deer, and 2 hogs, without even a touch up on the edge. He was totally amazed, and so was I, but I did not let on just how impressed I was. I am still amazed at that, but have moved on in knowledge, and steel. I don't yet know why it did that well, and the more I learn about metallurgy, the more I wonder why. I made blades from Nicholson files for many years after, and got nothing but praise as to holding an edge, and continued using color to HT them. But I did encounter a few problems with 1095, as far as edge holding. It seems more critical, and less forgiving in heat treat, which I relate to my goop quench at the time. Some were good, some were not. The files were always good. For that reason alone, I do believe that Nicholsons are W-1, or even maybe W-2. They do give a tough and hard edge, even when HT'd in a primitive manner, but I would recommend that you use any advantage you can over color Ht, there are just too many variables in the primitive method. It would seem that what I was doing was fine, but I was probably just lucky. Good luck, I hope it goes well for you.
