Thread: Files

I am thinking of buying a new file for the purpose of creating blade faces for regular knives.
The purpose of the file is to remove as much (annealed) material as possible in a short amount of time.
It should be 12" or more in length, and last long enough to get my money out of it.

Any suggestions?
Locally, the best files I have available are bahco, which are not bad, but I don't know how well they compare to other brands.

I prefer the large coarse double cut, triangular files for roughing off metal. The flat side of a triangular file has less surface area than than regular flat file, hence more pressure on the cutting teeth. Keeping the file clean with a file card makes things go faster also.

I have had good luck with all brand name and even some made in china files. I have also had some made in china files that were not worth the bring home. Bahco has a good reputation.

I would then move to a single cut mill file and draw file to smooth out.

Charlie

Charlie

Nicholson and Simonds are good. What Charlie said. Though, I do not usually prefer a triangle for flat work, that is personal preference. But for a larger file I can see the benefit.

Jeff

What you guys said. I prefer Nicholson, single mill files. Can't speak to the others.

Grobet, sandvik and Nicholson... i like the grobets the best

I can't speak for large files, but for my small detailed file work I recently upgraded to some Grobet and Friedrich Dick ones over the cheapos I had. A huge, huge difference and I slightly prefer the F Dick ones to the Grobet, but they are both superior to what I was using (Nicholson and some cheap chinese ones).