Hand Files

[steve garro]

BOGGS TOOL & FILE SHARPENING COMPANY - FILE DIVISION

Anyone send files to Boggs to be resharpened? Online reviews have been nothing but exceptional, and the cost seems reasonable. Seems like a good way to hang on to your old quality files.

No, but I have used Save-Edge = and their metal files were AWESOME - I posted here somewhere that they were closing out their metal files…….not sure if anyone bit, but I did, bought 35 files, which can be re-sharpened up to six times - FWIW, the chainsaw files are pretty damn handy for tight spots on fillets.

On closeout I think I spent $3-4.00 a file, quite the score.

Save Edge | Home of the sharpest files in the business.

- Garro.

[Jason Stilson]

I'm just starting an adventure of building frames. Files are one of those things I know I'm going to need, but have no idea where to start or how picky I should be. I'd love to know what your average expected lifespan of a file is, and at what point is the cutoff where one decides a particular file "blows."

[e-RICHIE]

I'm just starting an adventure of building frames. Files are one of those things I know I'm going to need, but have no idea where to start or how picky I should be. I'd love to know what your average expected lifespan of a file is, and at what point is the cutoff where one decides a particular file "blows."

If you're just starting, it'll be years before you need to replace any files. My advice is to lose any worry you may have over this. Good luck.

[Jason Stilson]

My advice is to lose any worry you may have over this. Good luck.

Awesome, Thanks!

[e-RICHIE]

After years of trying I'm happy to mention that I've found files to rivals my beloved Nicholsons when said brand still supplied Made In USA products. I tried Bahco files (I bought a selection of 14 several weeks ago) and feel like my hands are connecting with metal the way they did in the 1970s through to about 2000. I got them at Production Tool Supply.

[jclay]

BOGGS TOOL & FILE SHARPENING COMPANY - FILE DIVISION

Anyone send files to Boggs to be resharpened? Online reviews have been nothing but exceptional, and the cost seems reasonable. Seems like a good way to hang on to your old quality files.

I stumbled onto the Boggs website before checking here, gave them a call, had a nice chat with a pleasant fellow and am boxing up half of my files to send them; the other half after the initial shipment returns.

When I look at files I'm somewhat blown away that they can even be produced, never mind resharpened. The guy said that the Nicholson's typically have one sharpening available in the steel and that the made in USA items are definitely worth it. He also mentioned a Portuguese file company, starts with a "B", that they sell and which he thinks is a real good/cost effective option when the need for new arises.

I'll report the results back to this thread.

The thought of a file that seriously engages the metal, rather than sort of worries it away through sheer monotony, is thrilling. I feel giddy.

[Andrew R Stewart]

Yeah, like riding hand made sew ups after dragging around on Armadillos for years. Andy

[jclay]

My first batch is boxed up. This guy on blade forum is chuffed: file sharpening service!!! | BladeForums.com

[Paul Jacobs]

I stumbled onto the Boggs website before checking here, gave them a call, had a nice chat with a pleasant fellow and am boxing up half of my files to send them; the other half after the initial shipment returns.

When I look at files I'm somewhat blown away that they can even be produced, never mind resharpened. The guy said that the Nicholson's typically have one sharpening available in the steel and that the made in USA items are definitely worth it. He also mentioned a Portuguese file company, starts with a "B", that they sell and which he thinks is a real good/cost effective option when the need for new arises.

I'll report the results back to this thread.

The thought of a file that seriously engages the metal, rather than sort of worries it away through sheer monotony, is thrilling. I feel giddy.

Bahco files are made in Portugal although I think it is originally a Swedish company. I have been using them for years, along with English and Swiss made files. I have no complaints about the Bahco ones and they seem to last well.

[jclay]

Bahco files are made in Portugal although I think it is originally a Swedish company. I have been using them for years, along with English and Swiss made files. I have no complaints about the Bahco ones and they seem to last well.

Thanks Paul. I think Boggs carries Bellota. I'm going to ask them to send one, maybe a 10" American pattern bastard half round, back with my sharpened Nicholsons.

[Amaro Bikes]

Thanks Paul. I think Boggs carries Bellota. I'm going to ask them to send one, maybe a 10" American pattern bastard half round, back with my sharpened Nicholsons.

Bellota rules, I do all mitering by hand, including titanium, and Bellota has served me well (and they're local product so perfect match to me). I use medium and fine ones, none bastards, get saw cut for the first closeout and then tune by file
Bahco are also a quality choice, I use their bimetal sandflex saw blades and they make a difference

[jclay]

BOGGS TOOL & FILE SHARPENING COMPANY - WELCOME

I sent 8 or 9 USA made Nicholson files to Boggs Tool for sharpening. It was a mixture of rat tail, half round and flat bastards and second cut in 6", 8" and 10". They cut better than new. Seriously, a lot better.

Normally I'd hesitate to make that sort of comparison, what with it being 10 years since my files were new but, 1) the difference in test usage was simply night and day and 2) my 12" second cut half round wasn't sent, has been used very, very little over the past ten years (the flat side nearly not at all) and is in excellent condition; the resharpened 10" 2nd cut half round cuts vastly better.

Nine files + return shipping for $18 and change. I could not be happier with the results. I just wish I'd known about this five years ago.

[false_aesthetic]

Just brining this thread back up for the next person:

I called Boggs today and spoke to Harry Boggs.
Really nice, patient and helpful.
He's sending me a few new files to try out and I'm sending him a few to get sharpened.

Thanks for the recommendation.

[Apollo]

Files rust fairly easily.

It helps to keep them lightly coated with penetrating oil.

It doesn't have to be the expensive, hard to find penetrating oil, like Sili Kroil though.

The cheap, readily available Liquid Wrench works just as well for rust prevention.

It's thin and easy to wipe down.

[Andrew R Stewart]

Unsure If I would advise this as the transfer of oils to the work piece might make further processes a challenge. Where are your files? Location? Storage? I have to say that in the three states I've lived in file rust has not been an issue. Andy (Currently in NYS, 15 years in NE Ohio and 10 more in Raleigh NC)

[Apollo]

Unsure If I would advise this as the transfer of oils to the work piece might make further processes a challenge. Where are your files? Location? Storage? I have to say that in the three states I've lived in file rust has not been an issue. Andy (Currently in NYS, 15 years in NE Ohio and 10 more in Raleigh NC)

Usually just carding files properly calls for some type of light oil.

I had my workshop in Italy from 1987 to 2015 and files would rust.

I do clean the work of oil after machining and filing.

Very light oil isn't hard to work with.

I found that penetrating oil works well.

Thicker oil might promote clogging up the file.

There is one view that files are disposable tools and don't get oiled.

I find they do last longer with some sort of light oil.

The rust isn't always so bad that you can see it, but can make the file dull more quickly.

[jclay]

I need a few new files, 8, 10, 12" half round bastard.
Have Nicholson's files regained their edge/hardness since being offshored?
Any other recommendations for American Pattern half rounds in those sizes?
Simmons? I don't see much Bellota presence in the USA.

[e-RICHIE]

I need a few new files, 8, 10, 12" half round bastard.
Have Nicholson's files regained their edge/hardness since being offshored?
Any other recommendations for American Pattern half rounds in those sizes?
Simmons? I don't see much Bellota presence in the USA.

Get Bahco from Production Tool Supply.
These ^ for all any types 6” or longer.
And Grobet for anything smaller or slimmer.

[Doug Fattic]

Get Bahco from Production Tool Supply.
These ^ for all any types 6” or longer.
And Grobet for anything smaller or slimmer.

John, I haven't tried Nicholson files after being disappointed with their products after they twice moved production to 2 different countries oversees. I've liked the Bahco files I've gotten from PTS just fine.

I also agree with e-Richie that Grobet Swiss Pattern files work good too. Do you use Swiss Pattern files? I do a lot of filing and can't imagine not having them hanging on my pegboard. The downside is that they are expensive. My most used one is a 6" half round #1 cut.

Another good brand of files is Friedrich Dick made in Germany. I've used them in our frame shop in Ukraine and liked them a lot. A German student left some there for us. The Rio Grande Jewelry online catalog carries them in the US.

[fortyfour]

I'll also agree with Grobet and Friedrich Dick for both swiss pattern files and needle files which are typical in most jewelry applications (I was a goldsmith/silversmith for a point of reference). Rio Grande is a good resource as is Contenti out of Providence, RI. NOS Nicholson is hard to come by but they are available if you know where to look or come across a hardware store like I did liquidating their old stock.

One thing about needle files is I've always preferred the longer 7 3/4" needle file vs the 6" lengths for finer work. The longer file allows for more control and less cramped hand positions holding onto a smaller 6" needle file.

One file I have not seen mentioned is Pferd, specifically their Corinox file line both pattern files and needle files (yellow tang). I've been using these files for some time now and they are amazingly sharp, last a super long time on both Titanium, and some of the more modern steels which can be a bit harder (Vari-Wall's ThermlX and Reynolds 853 come to mind). Their chainsaw files are super sharp and are quite long lasting. I buy those by the box.