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60LikesThread: Old files. So sad...
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10-30-2012, 08:24 PM #1
Old files. So sad...
Specifically, what is sad is that old tools are often much better than new tools.
I've bought many files on flea markets, for the purpose of using them as knife stock.
Some time ago I sorted them in 2 piles: ones that still cut, and ones that don't.
This weekend I've forged a couple of knives, and I started shaping the blanks with my small belt sander. Frustrated with the slow progress and the fact that I was running out of belts, I turned to the files. Most of them are old nicholson files. Most of them are rusty. And yet they eat carbon steel faster than anything I've ever tried, excepting only my angle grinder. They make m Bahco files turn red with shame. And it's nice that they are solid tool steel. So if they ever lose their edge, I can use them for stock. My bahcos aren't good for that either.
I was so impressed in fact that I decided that I would buy a set of new nicholson files. Because if these old ones with rusty spots and slightly worn teeth did this, a new file would be even better... yet from what I've read on various sites, the truth is different. Nicholson has moved their production facility and are now turning out files that reviewers have strong reservations about.
I'll have to keep looking. Perhaps there are still file makers that make solid tool steel files that are durable.Geezer likes this.Til shade is gone, til water is gone, Into the shadow with teeth bared, screaming defiance with the last breath.
To spit in Sightblinder’s eye on the Last Day
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Geezer (01-25-2013)
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10-30-2012, 08:32 PM #2Senior Member
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Yes, the old Nicholson 10" bastard files are worth their weight in gold.
I hunt antique stores & thrift store regularly for them. They make a great addition to any survival pack or tool box. Clean the rust away and the teeth are usually still sharp.Geezer likes this.
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10-30-2012, 09:46 PM #3"My words are of iron..."
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Make your own Bruno...
Filecutting - YouTube
Reply With QuoteThe Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Mike Blue For This Useful Post:
32t (10-31-2012), deanfarris (10-31-2012), Geezer (01-25-2013), JimBC (10-31-2012), skipnord (10-31-2012)
10-30-2012, 10:33 PM
#4
You are a dangerous man, Mike Blue
Til shade is gone, til water is gone, Into the shadow with teeth bared, screaming defiance with the last breath.
To spit in Sightblinder’s eye on the Last Day
10-30-2012, 10:46 PM
#5
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An old metal shop teacher of mine once told me that if you compleatly degrease a file that pour hydrochloric acid on it sparingly,it will over a shot period, re-cut the orig teeth, never tried it tho.
regularjoe likes this.
10-31-2012, 03:27 AM
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It's just a little pinprick, soon there will be no more ahhhhhh....but you may feel a little sick.Originally Posted by Bruno
You are a dangerous man, Mike Blue
10-31-2012, 03:54 AM
#7
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I watched it twice but am a little confused yet. Is he making new ones or reworking old ones?
I better be careful here. I haven't used the saw vices I bought yet. All that I need is another idea to sharpen something else.
10-31-2012, 04:27 AM
#8
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He's making a new file from flat bar stock. It will need to be hardened after the teeth are set.
10-31-2012, 06:48 PM
#9
I have a couple with surface corrosion. I use those for cleaning up after forging.
I have 2 that are still good. 1 is used but well cared for. the other was mint.
the used one is 12 inch and has a clean surface.
the mint one is 14 inch. and I do mean just the cutting surface
There are just no words to describe how the mint one handles... this is what filing should be like. This is probably the only audience I know that would understand me getting softhearted about something like a file.
Seriously. I love this file.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knTvHRz_qnU
MickR likes this.
Til shade is gone, til water is gone, Into the shadow with teeth bared, screaming defiance with the last breath.
To spit in Sightblinder’s eye on the Last Day
