Fiery Friday - Simple Blacksmithing Tools - Files

Welcome back,

     When I was a kid and was taking my bicycle apart (or anything/everything else) to try and modify it for the better, I occasionally needed a way to take away some metal or maybe just debur something I had just spent 20 minutes cutting with a dull hacksaw blade. My father wasn't much of a mechanic nor did he work with metal at all, so when I went looking for tools in the garage I was somewhat limited with my selection. One thing I learned quickly was that I hated to use files. Having no grinders of any kind I was forced to use my fathers files. I despised using them as they seemed so slow and tedious. As soon as I had saved up enough money I went and bought myself a 4-1/2" angle grinder, then a bench grinder, die grinders and so on. Of course these we the better way to go, they were power tools. (insert manly grunt) What I didn't know is that all of my dad's files were old and dull as can be. When I started getting into blacksmithing I saw other smiths using files all of the time and I just didn't see why they would waste so much time with them. Then I actually took the time to watch and saw that they were removing metal accurately and fast! I soon purchased a brand new good quality file and fell in love with it immediately. I now have a small selection of sharp files, new and used and use many of them daily.

Files will only cut in one direction, just like a hacksaw blade. This is my favorite file and yes it is the first new one I purchased. I've had it for ten years or more and it still cuts rather well. If you only apply pressure on the cutting stroke and let up on the pull back the teeth on the file will last a lot longer.

Here is a rat tail file I use daily as well. This is a cheap file I purchased at a low quality tool store and so far have had good luck with it. Other cheap files I have tried have not lasted a tenth of what this one has. In my opinion, you're much better off paying $12 - $20 for a good file that will last you years rather than a $3 one that won't cut well out of the box let alone stay sharp.





When I'm at the local flea market I keep my eye out for a sharp file that I can pick up for a couple of bucks. Usually out of 50 files I might find one worth picking up and using . I'd rather have an older "broken in" quality file than a new cheap one.

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for next week when I show you how to Hot Rasp steel.