Small files question

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Lo/Rez

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Feb 10, 2013
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What is a good brand of small files to purchase? Any recommended vendors? Thanks in advance.
 
Lo/Rez said:
What is a good brand of small files to purchase? Any recommended vendors? Thanks in advance.
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I personally like the "Grobet" files they come in every description you can imagine.

Here is a link to a Jewelry Supply House (been in business a long time very nice people) They GOT EVERYTHING!!!!

http://www.ottofrei.com/Files/
 
I hate to recommend Harbor Freight for anything, but I bought a set of mini files from them 3 years ago online and they seem to be still going strong

Of course they could get a junk batch from china and you would have the opposite experience
 
Needle files wear out fast, so in many cases, the cheap ones are the best bang for the buck. I have been surprised at how good the cheap $10 sets do some jobs.

If you want top quality, Grobet is good and "Valtitan" is the tops. The valtitan files are not cheap ( about $80 a six file set)...but really good.

The way to get the most out of any file is to use it properly.
Don't try to file hardened steel...the file will loose.
Don't "saw" back and forth. Push to cut and lift to return. Sawing dulls a file fast.
Keep files clean and store in an old cigar box. I have found that a 1950's "Hecto a Mano en Havana" box seems to make the files last longer ;) . Long files store best in oak McAllen 25 year old scotch boxes. Seriously, store them securely where they stay clean and dry. Many go as far as to make separators to keep them from rubbing, but I don't know if I would go that far. BTW, The cigar and scotch boxes do make great storage containers...once you get rid of the original contents.
 
Friedrich Dick files are also great. I prefer them over Grobet and use a lot of small files for work on straight razors. I get them from riogrande.com

Also, I wouldn't buy sets as likely you won't use many in the set. I use a round and triangle for most everything.
 
Joe Edson said:
Friedrich Dick files are also great. I prefer them over Grobet and use a lot of small files for work on straight razors. I get them from riogrande.com

Also, I wouldn't buy sets as likely you won't use many in the set. I use a round and triangle for most everything.
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You're absolutely right about using only a few select files buying sets gives you files you may never use!!!! Rio Grande supply has a nice selection also but that Jewelry supply houses I
wouldn't expect less....Keep them clean wrap them up when finished they will last a long time with proper care do not be impatient with small files....:D
 
A vote for sets:

Usualy the are cheaper per file. You do end up using a few of them most of the time.
But I always end up wondering how to get *this or that* done and end up using that file I never thought I would use.
Handy to just have laying around
 
I've had my eye on a set of Grobet 4" files. Pretty small but not needle file territory, they come with nice real wood handles too (on each file no less).
I've found I often want something smaller than my smallest Nicholson (Fine 6") but needle files seem too tiny and slow.
 
I like to have a few decent ones in the most-used shapes, and pick up the cheap import sets from time to time. The cheap ones are great when you need a custom safe-edged file or something, no hesitation whatsoever at taking them to the grinder for some modification:thumbup:
 
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