Recommendation for file set

B

Black Dog

Joined
Sep 10, 2006
Messages
31
One of my favorite parts of the process of making the few knives that I have done so far is adding file work. I would like a recommendation for a good brand of files for this. I bought a cheap set of diamond needle files on Ebay and they did a fair job one knife, but alas, I ultimately got what I paid for and I think what little diamond was on them originally has fallen off :( . Diamond is not a must, but durability and quality are.
So far I have been working with 1095 and 154CM in their annealed states.
Thanks,
Bob
 
Best thing I have gound is a 6 peice set of needle files made by nicholson. Lowes carries them, and they run something like $10-$15 if I remember right. They have all the profiles you need in the set and work really well. And for the price, you can just chuck them and get a new set when they get dull, but that will take a long time if you're working with annealed steel. I've had the same set for a few years now and its just now starting to get noticeably dull.
Also is worthwhile to get a couple different gauge chainsaw files, and a dremel is really handy too.
 
I'll definitely second Matt's suggestion of Nicholson files. For chainsaw files and small triangular files, check your local Sears. They have a few sizes, they last a decent amount of time, and they're cheap.

What I want to find is a decent selection of small rough cut files or small wood rasps for fitting hidden tangs...

-d
 
Anyone have any good instructions on how to do file work. I'd love to try it out on some of my knives.
 
Most files I have found are inconsistant in sharpness and hardness, seems when I buy a set if I am lucky half of them will be good, check them as soon as buy them and return your reject. One of my favroite files is a tungston carbide that we used to use for voltage reulators & innition points. They are fine teeth & very hard, they last longer than any thing I have found. They are about 5 in long and 3/8 wide and they will flex a little which is great when working with gentle curves. Recently I picked up 2 at ACE hardware. The other post recomending chainsaw files is right on, they also have fine teeth and are very hard. You will be suprized how well these round files will work on flat surfaces once you develope the right technique using a angling stroke.

Leon Pugh
 
Just so you know-The Sears craftsman files are excellent, and, because they are Craftsman, they are lifetime guaranteed. Take them back for free replacement when they get dull.
 
rj martin said:
Just so you know-The Sears craftsman files are excellent, and, because they are Craftsman, they are lifetime guaranteed. Take them back for free replacement when they get dull.
Click to expand...

They replace FILES? Wow....

-d
 
A buddy of mine who is rough on tools used a Craftsman screwdriver to drive a bearing race out of an axle housing, completely splitting the plastic handle in the process. He took it back to Sears (I went with him betting that they wouldn't exchange it), and they did exchange it for a new screwdriver. However, the friendly customer service lady did suggest that he buy a set of chisels before he left that day, which he did.

No i don't let him borrow my tools.
 
I finally got to the Sears to replace the e-bay pieces of junk that I had. The needle file set was $16 and change. Printed right on the handy vinyl case is the famous Craftsman hand tool guarantee stating that if for any reason I am dissatisfied with the tools they will replace them. I also got some round chainsaw chain files and a flat distributor file. I am very happy with the quality. They cut fast and smooth. Thanks for the advice on the Craftsman files.
 
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