File ??

I just got the old magnifying glass out LOL
and checked my triangular file that I got many years ago and I made it a safe file.
Looking at the file I saw what looked like SWM something maybe cut. Anyway it's a Nicholson and has done good. It seems to be loosing it's cutting ability. Would you reccomend getting another like it or is there a better brand? I don't mind making a safe file. I don't necessarily need to buy ,,safe,, type. I just thought there might be a brand you like better. Oh yes is there a certain degree on the angle I would want?
Thanks

If your Nicholson is very old, it was probably made in USA. They moved their manufacturing to Mexico years ago. A lot of what you see now are Chinese. My guess is that a hunt for a brand new USA made to match the Nicholson will be fruitless. You will likely just get cheap overseas stuff and replace when dull, unless your local flea markets still have good stocks of USA made.

Thankyou. I will be on the hunt now for USA made Nicholson files

If you invest in a quality dovetail file, you will not be disappointed.
Brownells has a great one, Buy one of these, and you won’t need to buy another.
You get what you pay for.

Thanks

Try Grobet brand. Swiss made. I have a couple for saw sharpening. No luck with any made in the Orient, Mexico, or further south.

Look at Bacho files (very good) or even the new Mexican made Nicholson files which are also ok for the price. I've got some lathe files that are made in India that have lasted me for 10 + years now and I use them a LOT. If you are a person whose job it is that demands ultra-high precision all the time, then you NEED the VERY BEST that you can buy but for the average Joe it is not necessary to spend gobs of money for something that you will use a few times every few months (maybe). US tools and products are not what they use to be - just look at some of the top brands out on the market today - their return rate for repairs is high and quality is down. The people that extol the virtues of "American Made" are living in the past - wake up - the rest of the world is passing us by - just look at the WOKE people out there today .

Or get your file sharpened.
https://boggstool.com/

nhmoose said:

Or get your file sharpened.
https://boggstool.com/

Click to expand...

Or do it yourself. I've done a couple using 9 percent pickling vinegar. Keep an eye on it. I ruined a great bimetal drawknife leaving it in the vinegar too long...

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=how+to+sharpen+a+file