Who makes really good files?

H

HoosierQ

Joined
Feb 9, 2010
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got another post going about using a file to reprofile. Won't chew that tobacco twice.

I have never done anything but buy your basic hardware store or even big box file. I have a little set of Craftsmen needle files that really seem to bite...more than my big bastard files but that may be a function of the size of the cuts.

And of course I have answered my question at least in part already...clearly Craftsmen make a pretty decent file.

Can anybody recommend some really good, sharp, hard, high quality files for either fast cutting on softer steel, or that will stand up to something like S30V?

Heck, why not collect files too right :thumbup:

Thanks. QB
 
I'm kind of partial to Nicholson files myself. But I'm speaking as a machinist with a lot experience with A2 steel, not a knifemaker (still very much a noob at that :D ).
 
Nicholson has also been where I've tended to gravitate for good quality stuff in files. Be aware that they're not ALL US made any more, you have to check individual packages.
 
My family has been using Nicholson files for a long, long time. I've never had a problem with one. Hell, I've never had one wear out to the point where it couldn't be used for at least something.
 
Thanks guys. Nicholson are readily available in stores around here. Nice to see that traditional tools are still available. I have a couple already.
 
CAREFUL!!! Nicholson has switched file production to Mexico and they're no longer as hard or as sharp. Check the package before you buy! I like Pferd, personally. Never used Grobet but have heard good things and they look well made.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
CAREFUL!!! Nicholson has switched file production to Mexico and they're no longer as hard or as sharp. Check the package before you buy! I like Pferd, personally. Never used Grobet but have heard good things and they look well made.
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Okay, this is good to know. I was at the HD (rhymes with cheapo) today and thought that Nicholson was Made In the U.S.A., but no! Now I'll take a look into the Pferd and Grobet files. Thanks!
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
CAREFUL!!! Nicholson has switched file production to Mexico and they're no longer as hard or as sharp. Check the package before you buy! I like Pferd, personally. Never used Grobet but have heard good things and they look well made.
Click to expand...

SOME of it, anyway. A lot of them still bear the "USA" emblem and are made here. Some of them aren't. I've noticed that the US-made ones ARE distinctly better in quality and last longer. Worth looking through the stack to find the model that is still US-made.
 
Even the latest US made Nicholsons I bought were terrible. I use a lot of files, and used Nicholson almost exclusively. Not any more.
I just wrote them an email a couple of days ago expressing my displeasure. No response, of course.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Even the latest US made Nicholsons I bought were terrible. I use a lot of files, and used Nicholson almost exclusively. Not any more.
I just wrote them an email a couple of days ago expressing my displeasure. No response, of course.
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yup...I don't buy Nicholson anymore.

From my experience lately something is going on with the QC, even the US made ones.
 
You're kidding? I guess my latest are about 5 or 6 years old, so I can't really speak of recent stuff... Dang, that's disappointing, I had always considered them some of the best!
 
Good Brands: Old Nicholson; old Simonds; old Arcade, easy to spot by the large horseshoe emblem, I am not sure if they are still around; for wood, I have a large file marked "BEAVER: that as the name implies, cuts wood like a beaver;

Restoring The Files: Buy old files that do not have any: flats, permanent clogs, or broken teeth at garage sales, flea markets, etc. for cheap. Then put them in a plastic acid proof container and, while wearing acid proof elbow length gloves and safety goggles, pour in some heavy acid. Car battery acid works well, and scrapyards are looking to sell the lead in the battery, not the acid, so they might let you use the acid. Let the files soak for 24 hours, then run water into the container for an hour or so so that the acid is all gone. Make sure to catch all of the acid runoff and dispose of it properly. Make sure to dry the files off completely after taking them out. This gives old files their bite back.
 
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I use Nicholson and Simonds...many passed down from my dad. The best place to find good files are flea markets. You can get them for dirt cheap and all you have to do is get a little rust off.
 
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