Needle files regular steel or diamond files

C Craft

C Craft

Well-Known Member
So what I am trying to figure out which needle files/jewelers file to buy, for doing file work on a knife!! I seem to have a bad habit of leaning on the files to much and snaaaap!

This is a page from the Jewelers Supply Rio Grande, for their diamond files. https://www.riogrande.com/search?q=diamond+needle+files&c=&t=1&pageSize=32

When doing file work is a regular steel file better or is it better to step up to the diamond files??

Is it better to buy a set or concentrate on the files most used, triangle, round??? The sets only have one of each. Once you snap the triangular file or the round one you are done. I think it might be better to buy 2-3 of each!!


So anyone got any advice in buying and using needle files for file work on knives???????? Length of cut, brand, regular steel or diamond, etc. etc.??

My problem to this point is I get started, by the time I have used the file to do the layout and get into the real file work, the files are basically done cutting! So am I not cleaning often enough or have I just been buying the wrong files!
 
The Home Depot kit is not the best set of files but they have a lifetime warrenty. And they are CHEEEEEEP!! I think I paid about 10 bucks for my set they come in a fitted box and have an interchangeble handle that I glued together because it cam apart a couple times. Something to consider.
 
Cliff, I can't comment on diamond files because I don't use them.
What I use are Glardon Valorbe steel needle files, #2 swiss cut. I've been using the same files over twenty years.
The only time I've had these load up is using them on nickel silver, never on steel, they just keep on going.
In fact these files were used when I acquired them.
I've never used the Friedrich Dick brand but have heard their very good too.
I tossed my recent Blade magazine but I remember seeing an add selling the F.D. files for 5-6 dollars but I don't know what cut they were. for me #2 works just fine for fine filework.

Personally after using the ones I have for so many years if they disappeared I'd replace them with same, I wouldn't bother with diamond, they may be better....I don't know, don't really care to find out, I'm happy with the old steel files.

On the last couple knives I put filework on I actually thought about comment's people have made about breaking them and just chuckled, you would have to REALLY lean into these to break them. I just can't wrap my head around one of these breaking while doing decorative filework on the spine of a knife.
 
bladegrinder said:
Glardon Valorbe steel needle files, #2 swiss cut
Click to expand...

Steve would this be what you are speaking of??
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/273087563277
https://www.eternaltools.com/vallorbe-swiss-needle-files-6pc-set

Steve did you buy the set or individual files in the shapes you needed????


bladegrinder said:
On the last couple knives I put filework on I actually thought about comment's people have made about breaking them and just chuckled, you would have to REALLY lean into these to break them. I just can't wrap my head around one of these breaking while doing decorative filework on the spine of a knife.
Click to expand...

This is what I bought a long time ago, so that might explain why I was dissatisfied with them!!

https://www.jcpenney.com/p/general-...990570603-sku^62853680018@ADL10BMC-adType^PLA
 
Cliff, all I ever seem to use is the round, flat, and three square. with the set you may end up with a couple you never use.
I'd put that money towards another one I know I'd be using.
Like I say though....these are the three that I use all the time, other folks may use the others offed in the kit.

Along with everything else in life, you generally get what you pay for.
 
Steve, I appreciate that! Your answer is kind of what I figured. I am going to try and find somewhere that I can order the ones I will use and need Vs the set with ones I may never use!! Thanks again for the info!!
 
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