Which jobs are best done with cheap files, and which should be done with premium files?
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Premium files and cheap files
- Thread starter Mr.Wizard
- Start date
Which jobs are best done with cheap files, and which should be done with premium files?
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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Yeah, those comments seem conflicting.
Valtitan files are for precise cuts - jewelry work, fitting small parts together, filework on the spine.
Cheap files are good for filing guard slots, roughing in filework, and such.
The harder and better quality on a needle file, the more likely it is to break if used improperly or forced. That is why you use the cheap ones for the tasks that break files easily.
In larger files used for blade shaping and bevels, the better quality the file the better it works ( usually). A Magic-cut file is worth every penny when filing the bevels on a sword.
About Valtitan files - They are a very hard vanadium steel and will normally outperform most other files. They are also very brittle and the needle files will snap if pushed with any amount of side force. These needle files are pretty much for professionals. Hobbyists are much better off getting two or three sets of cheaper Chinese needle files.
The larger Valtitan files are more robust, and will cut very crisp shoulders on blades and quickly taper/thin out a tang that has a fat spot on it. They will outlast cheaper files. It comes to a situation of cost vs use. Professional knifemakers and jewelers usually get the best quality tools because they last longer and perform better. The difference may not be economical to a hobby maker.
Valtitan files are for precise cuts - jewelry work, fitting small parts together, filework on the spine.
Cheap files are good for filing guard slots, roughing in filework, and such.
The harder and better quality on a needle file, the more likely it is to break if used improperly or forced. That is why you use the cheap ones for the tasks that break files easily.
In larger files used for blade shaping and bevels, the better quality the file the better it works ( usually). A Magic-cut file is worth every penny when filing the bevels on a sword.
About Valtitan files - They are a very hard vanadium steel and will normally outperform most other files. They are also very brittle and the needle files will snap if pushed with any amount of side force. These needle files are pretty much for professionals. Hobbyists are much better off getting two or three sets of cheaper Chinese needle files.
The larger Valtitan files are more robust, and will cut very crisp shoulders on blades and quickly taper/thin out a tang that has a fat spot on it. They will outlast cheaper files. It comes to a situation of cost vs use. Professional knifemakers and jewelers usually get the best quality tools because they last longer and perform better. The difference may not be economical to a hobby maker.