Thread: Files for filework

So I'm needing some files to do some filework with. I found out that I'd likely need a set of needle files, but I don't know what's good. I found a cheap harbor freight looking set on e-bay, but I wanted to see what those more experienced people thought.

I have to admit that these probably won't be touching any razors any time soon. I'm getting some knife blanks and planning to do file work on the tangs, but also file out serrations on some. I would post this on a knife forum, but some of those places are more like schoolyards than gentlemen discussing a craft.

Will you be filing hardened steel or annealed steel? That is the biggest question. For hardened steel guys use Diamond files. For spine work and all that it's usually needle files. I think standards that you can do a lot with are round, half-round, triangle (three-square?) and maybe square. They come in different cuts. In swiss cuts the lower the number, the coarser the cut. In american cuts it's bastard as the coarsest and then I think it's self explanatory. For annealed steel you can use whatever. Some files last longer than others. Usually the "name brand" stuff, you know? Otherwise, those files should work, but may wear out quicker.

Gotcha, thanks! I think it's annealed, but I'll check. I don't need these to be anything fantastic or last forever, so I guess I'll just grab the cheapo set. I'm sure they'll last long enough for me to decide if I really like doing semi-custom knives.

Well,

If you ask me, I don't think I'd get any better results filing with a set of Zeepk needle files than I would get shaving with a Zeepk razor..... What I mean is, it's hard to do nice file work with crappy files and I'm assuming you want to do file work for appearance rather than function.

Check with places like Brownell gunsmithing supplies. They have an ok needle file set for "occasional use" that does not warrant the use of quality files. The econo set goes for about $27 and a proper gunsmiths set will run you about $120. I'm sure there are other sources, jewelers tool suppliers and the like, but gunsmiths deal with tough steels day in and day out and need good tools to get the job done and have it look good. Brownells also carries several diamond grit file sets of differing qualities and I doubt any of them are junk.

Regards

Christian

Originally Posted by kaptain_zero

Check with places like Brownell gunsmithing supplies.

If you're on a budget, check out www.cheaperthandirt.com.

--Matt

Check out US Knife Makers!, Operated by a knifemaker for knifemakers! and www.texasknife.com. Both sites are well-regarded sellers, and both have a nice selection of files.

Josh