Source for top quality files

LatakiaLover · Post by **LatakiaLover** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 4:55 pm

Not imports, the real made-in-Switzerland kind.

Otto Frei is the only place I've found with a decent selection. Cas-Ker is mostly cheap stuff...

Where do you serious button shapers get yours?

JHowell · Post by **JHowell** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 5:25 pm

McMaster-Carr doesn't list brand names, but the "Swiss Pattern" files I've bought from them have been Grobets. Might call and ask.

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 9:53 pm

I just scored a Grobets #0 checkering file on Ebay for less than $20.

Other than that, I usually go for Nichols brand, available at the big box stores, and the local mom-n-pops. I have a Nichols safe edge smooth cut mill file that is the workhorse of my file arsenal. I suppose I could remove material faster with a bastard or 2nd cut, but I like the control of a smooth cut file.

LatakiaLover · Post by **LatakiaLover** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:34 pm

Kurt --

A checkering file? You must mess with more than just pipes and knives, then. That's a specialty tool and a half... Unless you've found a way to rusticate with one. Hmmm???

RadDavis · Post by **RadDavis** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 12:43 am

LatakiaLover wrote:Kurt --

That's a specialty tool and a half... Unless you've found a way to rusticate with one. Hmmm???

Someone actually did that not too long ago and posted pics. I can't remember who it was.

It looked just like a gun stock, except it was a pipe.

Rad

Post by **KurtHuhn** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 1:10 pm

LatakiaLover wrote:A checkering file? You must mess with more than just pipes and knives, then. That's a specialty tool and a half... Unless you've found a way to rusticate with one. Hmmm???

I've got so many irons in the fire, it isn't even funny....

I haven't considered rusticating with a checkering file, but like Rad said, someone did. No, this is going to get used for checkering a set of custom grips. A friend has a Springfield 1911 that he'd like a set of cocobolo grips for, so I'm giving him a handmade and hand-fitted set for Christmas.

I'm also going to be using the file for putting grooves in the thumb rest of a couple knives. It's a heck of a lot more accurate than trying to do it all with a triangle file.