Hand Files

[miwuksurfer]

What do you use? Which brand? Which ones are used "daily"? Do you get old ones sharpened or throw them out and buy new ones? What is your favorite handle?

Thanks guys.

Nolan Lamb

[shirk]

http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...ice-35498.html

Info in there.

[miwuksurfer]

Thanks, I didn't see that in my prior search.

Nolan Lamb

[Will Neide]

My last purchase was some nice bastard rat tails from the "re-source" store. They were old, and used, but had tons of life left in them.....and cost me less than a dollar for a few of them. They've been awesome.

I try to utilize the "re-source" or "habitat for humanity" type stuff as much as I can. It's amazing what you'll find there.

[Todd Mosley]

Lowe's Kobalt files have a lifetime guarantee. I haven't tested the files out yet, but will be testing them and their guarantee.

[seankanary]

I have recently been using Simonds files. They work quite well. I can't speak to how long they last quite yet, but as of now they cut like butter.

Sean Hendrix

[Mark Walberg]

Lowe's Kobalt files have a lifetime guarantee. I haven't tested the files out yet, but will be testing them and their guarantee.

My experience with Lowes Kobalt files has been awful. THey have SLIGHTLY more cutting power than a bare rod.
Maybe they are different now. Mine were from several years ago.

[Amaro Bikes]

BELLOTA, basque/spanish files, superb quality and with the best name ever (as tasty as a pure spanish ham)

[11.4]

In that category of "never woulda thought it," files are one of the things that governments consider in the category of national security assets. Like ball bearing plants and manufacturers of carbide or diamond tooling, they are critical to manufacturing the most basic aspects of national defense. As a result, every country feels the need to have its own nationally subsidized manufacturer -- in this case, of files. Simonds and Bellota are just that. Everyone depended on the Swiss Grobetwerke for many years -- the Swiss made them for, yes, gunsmithing, and also for watchmaking and other important domestic industries. Those are still the best. My experience in metalworking (not frame building) has been that Bellota's dull very fast and have erratic quality, and that Simonds are a bit better but don't have the sharpness of cut. They also come in "nationally designated" sizes but not always in the patterns, sizes, and shapes that frame builders would like to have. A number of countries have similar programs and similar files, none of which are much better.

As a perverse aside, you should be happy knowing that when you buy Bellota files, you are indirectly subsidizing the huge Spanish arms industry which avidly sells to every terrorist organization in the Middle East.

[MrkiMedo]

.

As a perverse aside, you should be happy knowing that when you buy Bellota files, you are indirectly subsidizing the huge Spanish arms industry which avidly sells to every terrorist organization in the Middle East.

but if files re subsidised, then when buying a file, I am actually taking their money, an preventing it from going into bad guys hands, right? ;)

[cicli polito]

For an update to this and the other thread, i purchased an almost full set of the Grobet USA files from reid supply about a year ago. In my humble opinion, they ALL sucked. Really sucked. Far too soft and cut like a cotton swab. Just my two cents.

[11.4]

For an update to this and the other thread, i purchased an almost full set of the Grobet USA files from reid supply about a year ago. In my humble opinion, they ALL sucked. Really sucked. Far too soft and cut like a cotton swab. Just my two cents.

I believe you have to get the Grobet Swiss files. I was told in Switzerland that the GUSA files are simply sourced from Nicholson.

[e-RICHIE]

There may be another thread here in which I mention it, but I haven't had a decent, long-lasting, sharp file since Nicholson ceased production in USA. For a few years I thought they were just wearing faster, or dulling sooner - then I read the stamp on the handle and realized things changed. Since then, I've tried every brand, and all price points. Nothing has come close. I have conceded to considering files a consumable like small drill bits and flux. The only reason a file works here is because I push it around, lean on it hard, and show it who's boss atmo.

[Curt Goodrich]

I've always viewed files like socks. Some work better than others. Some last longer than others. Price sometimes correlates with those traits but sometimes not. Ultimately they're made to be used and then thrown away.

[ron l edmiston]

..files/socks,
-- love that analogy my brother.. can think of a few other from decades back in my bachelorhood, but i know better..

ronnie with a smile

[e-RICHIE]

PS I just ordered about $300 worth of Bahco (brand) files based on a tip from Tony P.
I'll report back later atmo.

[gruau]

Hi,

I've been using Austrian-made Bludan files for the last few months. A small hardware store in my neighbourhood has a rather good selection of them. They do what they're supposed to do quite well, i.e. scrape metal off. But then, I'm a not a pro, and my only other point of reference are recent Nicholson files.

[edoz]

I've always viewed files like socks. Some work better than others. Some last longer than others. Price sometimes correlates with those traits but sometimes not. Ultimately they're made to be used and then thrown away.

I never throw them away. Tool steel comes in handy for making all kinds of things:)

[devlin]

I've got both Bahco and Nicolson, bought in Australia, can't really say which is longer lasting but the Bahco in 2nd cut and finish are very nice. A file card is very handy as well.

[Will Neide]

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.