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The Best Files

Bearkat

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Joined
Dec 15, 2013
Messages
91
I plan to try my hand at knifemaking and also need a good set of metal files for the workshop. What is the best brand? I have seen the Nicholson at Lowes but not sure if that is the best route so I thought I should ask.
 
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bobcatdan

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Joined
Jan 4, 2011
Messages
9,948
Location
Kaukauna,WI
The best files I own are my SO mini set. They are rebadged bahco. Those mini will out cut any other file I had at the time. I was so impress, over time I bought pretty much every file SO sells. The full size are every bit as good as the mini. So my recommendation is bahco files. SO are $20 to $25 a piece, I don't know how bahco compares price wise. Nicholson are not bad filed, I own plenty of those too, but the bahco are the best in my book.
 

rshadd

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Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
1,598
Location
Doylestown, PA
The newer Mexican made Nicholsons LOOK alright. But they can be easily be filed with an old USA made Nicholson. I stocked up on USA Nicholson files during Lowes blow out sale last year.



Severance Tool Industries still make great USA files. They sell files made from hss, carbide, cbn grit and diamond grit. Very high end stuff. Last time I checked a file was over $75 and I would expect higher prices now maybe 2x.

Grobet-Swiss is also a great choice.
 
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franzdom

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Sep 7, 2009
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3,136
Location
NC
Grobet-Swiss are awesome, I started using these when I ran a machine shop.
 

Steinmetz

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Joined
Oct 11, 2012
Messages
2,274
Location
Washington State
The newer Mexican made Nicholsons LOOK alright. But they can be easily be filed with an old USA made Nicholson. I stocked up on USA Nicholson files during Lowes blow out sale last year.



Severance Tool Industries still make great USA files. They sell files made from hss, carbide, cbn grit and diamond grit. Very high end stuff. Last time I checked a file was over $75 and I would expect higher prices now maybe 2x.

Grobet-Swiss is also a great choice.

Of course you can file a file with a file. The tang isn't hardened.
 
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