The file thread

Liam Ryan

Liam Ryan

Joined
Sep 26, 2005
Messages
3,516
I love using files, being a machinist I use them for work, deburring parts mostly, with needle files.
I love the control you get with them, and it's hard to take too much material off, too.

I picked up a great one recently though, a Nicholson Magicut.
nicholson-tapered-magicut-file-10-300x300.jpg

It's very hard, my other files can skate over something (My vintage Wetterlings for example) and this bad boy will bite easily.
It' doesn't load up, and I can see no signs of wear yet. It's a little on the big side, and I actually find myself using it's lesser brethren in order to
"save" this fella.
 
I' ve been trying to "save" my American Made Nicolson's for awhile.
All I see now are "Made in Colombia", and a bunch of the coarser have crooked teeth that are pretty obvious just looking at them.

A sign of the times.
 
I just looked at the manufacture locations on my Nicholson handy file and 4-in-Hand. When did they stop making their files in the US? Does anyone still make their files in America?
 
I'm a fan of the old Nicholson X-F line and snag them when I can find them in good condition. Recently found a few nice old Grobets that are perfect for my uses as well.

Pro tip--if you ever get into farrier work, Black Diamond rasps are the most common because they're widely available and they aren't TOTAL crap, but Black Diamond is a Nicholson/Cooper Tools brand. Go with Pferd and treat the rasp with respect and it lasts a LOT longer. My lady trims our horses' hooves herself and we've gone a year on a Pferd rasp and it's still not dull.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I'm a fan of the old Nicholson X-F line and snag them when I can find them in good condition. Recently found a few nice old Grobets that are perfect for my uses as well.

Pro tip--if you ever get into farrier work, Black Diamond rasps are the most common because they're widely available and they aren't TOTAL crap, but Black Diamond is a Nicholson/Cooper Tools brand. Go with Pferd and treat the rasp with respect and it lasts a LOT longer. My lady trims our horses' hooves herself and we've gone a year on a Pferd rasp and it's still not dull.
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Were is that made? Is that the brand that has a horse on the box?
 
I just recently sharpened a machete with and old nicholson that I got at a yard sale. It was the first time I had used a bastard file after gaining most of my sharpening knowledge. A pleasure, I must say.

I have a link bookmarked to a website that has some Grobet usa files. (Did find a set of modeler's files made by Grobet USA though!) This thread reminded me that I still need to buy a box or two. I was much bummed about Nicholson moving to Mexico. The bastard files I have seen at the local hardware have been marked as being made in Mexico, no Columbia.
 
I'd be VERY surprised if you found them wanting in any way. Expensive, but some of the best still made.
 
Another tip I learned in school, (you all may know this, but) fill the teeth up with chalk to prevent loading.
 
Some good tips, thanks for starting this thread. I've been usin:)g clunky brand X bastard files, and swearing at them, but didn't know what thegood brands were. Now I have to talk my boss into getting some good files
 
Square_peg said:
Last one I bought was from Swift Tool in Kent, WA. But you might try Grainger.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/SIMONDS-Flat-Multicut-File-5ZGC3
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Country of Origin: Honduras :(

Explains why the last Simonds Bastard file I picked up didn't have any sort of USA stamping on it. Was decent for awhile with a good bite, but IMO it wore out ridiculously fast..

After a couple years of hard use and good service, the teeth on my USA-made 12" Nicholson bastard file are finally starting to dull causing skating in some spots with tougher axes. I've been looking around for a good replacement, but am having some trouble since both the big (former) USA names have outsourced their manufacturing. Maybe my Simonds was a dud and the overall batch quality is still good (since QA south of the border is probably easier to manage than QA overseas), but I'd hate to support two companies simply based on their PREVIOUS reputation. A reputation built by US workers that they simply stepped on in favor of cheaper labor. Cheaper labor that isn't even reflected in the pricing at our end...

FortyTwoBlades said:
Swiss. And yes--a horse jumping through a hoop for the logo.
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FortyTwoBlades said:
I'd be VERY surprised if you found them wanting in any way. Expensive, but some of the best still made.
Click to expand...
I looked them up and everything I've read seems to say they're made in Germany? Either way, it beats Simonds and Nicholson's business practices. Do you have any experience with their Mill Bastards by any chance? Are they durable and of good (58+ hrc) hardness? And you mentioned cost, but their 12"ers seem to be pretty reasonably priced at $14.. only $2 more than a Nicholson. Am I looking at the wrong item?
 
Square_peg said:
That's a shame. My old U.S. made ones are awesome.
Click to expand...

The reason I ended up with Pferd was the store I used to buy from had a large selection of files until just recently. Half the selection is gone. Its now Pferd. I know that they didn't sell them that fast. Must be selling them on EBay. Things change, it just isn't always for the better.
 
killa_concept said:
I'd hate to support two companies simply based on their PREVIOUS reputation. A reputation built by US workers that they simply stepped on in favor of cheaper labor. Cheaper labor that isn't even reflected in the pricing at our end...
Click to expand...

People with no understanding of economics...

Those files from BOTH companies were going to stop being made here regardless, the only question is if they would continue to be made at all. The business costs associated with running a factory here are staggering, and they continue to rise much faster than a company can justify marking up their product. Don't be so quick to blame the company, blame the politicians who don't know or care about what it takes to run a business.

My 2 cents
 
I've got an old 'oberg' of sweden file I still use, nice tough old beast that I'd like made into a knife eventually. Oberg is now known as 'bahco', so it's likely pretty old!
 
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