Thread: Old files. So sad...

I keep a 10" Nicholson attached to my field machete sheath. If I need a cutting edge in a hurry & not enough time to work a stone, then the file is great.
***mind you, she is only used on the field machete *** not my fixed carry blade.

I have had good luck with my file purchases recently both brand name Nicholson and made in India imports. That being said the brand name files I have bought from the local hardware store have probably been in stock for years.

Charlie

I am often reminded how hard it is to find good tools these days. Any time I come across an old tool of a family member I see that they really don't make them like the used to. Mostly cutting tools are like this, axes for example. I'm not totally surprised to find that files are as well.

I have also heard of the acid method for file sharpening although I've never tried it.

Some file porn
All Nicholsens,all at least 40 yrs old,all with custom handles.

There are companies online that'll do the acid dip for you. IIRC, it's a one time deal though. You only get one refresh per file. If it goes dull after that, it's done for good. And it's actually kind of pricey...IIRC.

Auriou toolworks in France been making files by hand since 1856 but i believed only for wood and stone but the process is very interesting.
check it out here the link: HOME PAGE

Martin, I'm sorry I couldn't like that post twice. That went straight to the bookmarks for later. Thanks.

Today we hit the antique mall, looking mainly for DE razors. No luck.

But I did keep my eyes out for files.
Here is what we got.

5- Simonds "Red Tang" files, various large sizes
20- six inch files, consisting of the following brands, Heller, K&F, Nicholson, Atkins, Johnson
Total damage $30.00

I've never used anything but modern Nicholson. Is there at much difference between the new ones and old ones?

Here is what little I know & read from various sources, don't know what is 100% fact.
Nicholson shut down it's U.S. factories a few years ago, Mexico, Brazil & Columbia got the business of manufacturing the files.

Most all sold now, unless NOS are made in Mexico it seems, at least from what I see at Home Depot.

A member of one of the machinist forums, states that he was given a box of 12 Mexico made, heard that the "skin" of the mexican files were soft. He claimes to have used one of his U.S. made files to remove the teeth & outer steel skin of the Mexican made file. Again this is cyber talk, take it for what it is worth.

The Nicholson files made in the U.S. are selling like hot cakes on EBAY.