edge-safe files

[oklahoma red]

Can anyone recommend a good source for factory-made edge-safe files?
And in the same vein, how many out there just make your own by grinding off the edges?
Chas.

Believe in the P principle: Proper Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance

[e Markle]

Yeah, I think most of us just grind the edges off on our own. I've ground different edges on almost all of my files.

[caskwith]

All my files came with one live edge one safe so I have never had the need to modify. THat being said it wouldn't bee difficult to grind a smooth edge if needed, just run it over the disc, belt or stone grinder.

[jogilli]

agree with the above comments... if i need a smooth edge on a file I just grind it down...

I grind down my mouthpiece files anyway in order to make them more pointed for my purposes

james

[andrew]

I grind my own and buy with the edge safe. The best files I've used so far are Grobet from Gesswein. Just look under their precision files. Buying a nice file is fun, but it won't make up for a lack of skill. If you can't use a cheap file and get good results, the nice ones probably won't help you (unless the cheap file has a big snaggled tooth hanging off one edge).

[Tyler]

I can't figure out why I would need an edge-safe file.

[jogilli]

Tyler

I use it on the back of the button when thinning the mouthpiece .. mainly... the small files I've grinded down.. are files I've broken the tip off of.. and ended up w/a flat surface on one side...

james

[Growley]

Tyler

I use it on the back of the button when thinning the mouthpiece .. mainly... the small files I've grinded down.. are files I've broken the tip off of.. and ended up w/a flat surface on one side...

james

I never thought of filing down my files for this reason. I've wished I had one before for the exact reason you described here, but it never occurred to me to file one down. Just this afternoon. I was performing this exact procedure, but I didn't have the right file, so I put a piece of paper between the file and stem where I didn't want sand. I think I'm going to have to sand one down for this reason.

Good idea.

Brian.

[Tyler]

I guess I knew behind the button would be the answer, but I don't really see why it's necessary. Must be we do thing in a different order. I'm not ever that worried about the back of the button.

[taharris]

I just got a set of these new fangled files.

I got the extreme fine cut ones.

And they do have the safe edge.

I think I am going to love them. They take off material like no one's business and leave a smooth finish!

Todd

[Tyler]

I just got a set of these new fangled files.

I got the extreme fine cut ones.

And they do have the safe edge.

I think I am going to love them. They take off material like no one's business and leave a smooth finish!

Todd

Do tell on the brand of these new fangled files.

[taharris]

Oops!

I was all ready to post a link and forgot:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2080472 ... Files.aspx

Todd

[KurtHuhn]

Because I have to do everything different, all my files have a live edge. You just have to be careful and pay attention when you get close to the right shape. I used to use a safe edge file, but I found that I could do things faster with a live edge file.

[sam a]

I just got a set of these new fangled files.

I got the extreme fine cut ones.

And they do have the safe edge.

I think I am going to love them. They take off material like no one's business and leave a smooth finish!

Todd

i got myself a set of these new fangled files as well... the ex-fine and the medium. and i will testify they beat the pants of my nicholson files by miles

[Tyler]

Because I have to do everything different, all my files have a live edge. You just have to be careful and pay attention when you get close to the right shape. I used to use a safe edge file, but I found that I could do things faster with a live edge file.

I'm with you.

[andrew]

Iwasaki carving files are fantastic! Watch your knuckles and fingernails.

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

I will probably make at least one edge of all my files safe eventually. I have an ignition file i shaped to file the inside of the slot. The file is .030" thick, about half the thickness of the #199 cutter used on the slot. It has really helped produce a deep vee slot.

[sam a]

Iwasaki carving files are fantastic! Watch your knuckles and fingernails.

haha... what knuckles? you aren't kidding!

[caskwith]

Because I have to do everything different, all my files have a live edge. You just have to be careful and pay attention when you get close to the right shape. I used to use a safe edge file, but I found that I could do things faster with a live edge file.

Thats why i like the fact all my files came with a live edge and a safe edge

[Ocelot55]

Iwasaki carving files are fantastic! Watch your knuckles and fingernails.

Where can one procure such files? Right now I'm just using a cheap set of needle files from the hardware store.