Hey, here's a question that you don't see often....What are your favorite files and where did you get them? I've been seeing all different kinds lately in various catalogs including Rio Grande and others. What files have you found that work the best for the different functions, filework, cleanup of blade grinds, general cleanup, titanium, hardened steel, etc. Let's hear what all is "known" about the subject of files!

Thanks,

Peter

Hey Peter,
I use Nicholson Black Diamond files - I bought them at my local hardware store. I use both double-cut and single-cut files for general cleanup work. The other advantage of the Black Diamond is that they're 1095, so when they eventually wear out they make pretty good knives. I've got a customer who collects knives made from files, so that's handy for me. I'm curious to see what everyone else uses!

Josh Blount

It would take several days to discuss all the files and uses.
I only have 4 or 5 hundred in my shop.
Hand files, rotory files, electric as well as pnematic files,ect...
A good file can be more useful than even sanding paper.
I make a lot of tools out of them, twist them into billets of damascus, use them for sanding backups,I even use them for filing too.
Wanna see some filework? :)
A file is much more forgiving than a grinder or even a dremel moto tool.

Did you know that you can sharpen them by soaking them in the ferric cloride solution you etch damascus with.
The acid eats the softer metal that is clogging the file and will actually sharpen just plain dull ones too.(not diamond files though)

Gene, Now THATS's a good tip!! Cleaning a file with Ferric chloride....good one. Except it won't work if you've been filing titanium!

Do you really have 4 or 5 hundred? Wow! And I thought I was a pack rat.....

Do the pneumatic files work well? I have seen them in various catalogs but have never tried them.

Hey Janet,this is knifewife again,(hahahahaha)
It does get them cleaner, even of Ti. I think it eats the steel that holds the Ti in the pockets.

Yes I have collected files for a BUNCH of years now.
Every estate sale has a tool box, most often I offer a price for the whole box of tools, there are ussually several files in each.
The pawn shops sell them to me at 4-for a dollar, in bulk.

I don't use a pnematic file anymore, it had it's day to play, but I can cut just as fast by hand.(and it is noisey) :)

As far as the number goes, I have a couple hundred in this drawer, a couple more in that one, a box of two on the shelf, ect... besides the ones I use. Ya.

I also have a bunch of old saw blades, but that is another story. :)

Wow, that's heap of files and a good way to accumulate them! So, Knifewife, are you also a maker? Husband and wife makers, that's great!

Most people know me on this signature line Peter, (Janet).
Pat doesn't make knives, and I don't always log in on my own name either (sound familiar?)
We helped you to get rid of all those posts with your wife's name on them.
Oh, and tell Janet we miss her. hahahahaha

We were excited the first time you used her name here, we thought a woman had joined us. I still laugh about that.

Sorry Peter, just kidding a little bit. Janet doesn't play here anymore, right?
Tell Janet she will be missed,OK?
Be blessed Peter, and Janet, too. :)

...is Nicholson's Super Shear file. You have to be careful with it, 'cause it's so aggressive, but nothing eats through metal like them.

JD