Thread: Metal Files - good brand

Good quality files are getting hard to find. If you can get old stock Nicholson or Wiltshire grab them, if you are forced to buy new, then Vallorbe or Grobet are about the only good ones left. Both are Swiss made and you can buy from Jewellers Suppliers, or you might get lucky on ebay. And there is Lioger, French made, they are excellent.

http://www.liogier-france.fr/milled-teeth-files?lang=en
http://www.vallorbe.com/Standard.php?p=520&m=4&l=3

http://www.jewellerssupplies.com.au/
http://www.koodak.com.au/main.php


One of the guys on here, periodically orders Lioger from the manufacturer, not sure if he still does, but drop FenceFurniture a PM, he might be able to help.

If you are after high quality hand stitched rasps there is Lioger, Auriou, ( both Excellent French Brands) and TFWW gets his own made in Czech Republic ( I think that's right )

Ray

PS. A quick look on ebay turned up these
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vallorbe-...item5679cdd8da

Corin is also about to do a Valorbe order, may be worth a PM to him.

Has anyone tried Pferd files? I have one Pferd file and a set of Bahco. The Bahco (about 5 years old) and Pferd (about a year old) seem to work fine. Likely not Vallorbe quality but they do chew mild and 4140 without any issue.

I have a few different Pferd files. Country of origin is unknown. Pferd have factories all over the world. They seem to be of good quality. Not as good as the NOS Oz made Wiltshire files I have tho.

Metal files, I like in no particular order, Bosch, Dewalt, Ryobi, Makita, Metabo...

They tend to be a bit noisier than the ones being discussed!

You won't get 5 "decent" files anyware for $100

I notice the eBay listing for the Valorbe files says Country of Origin: Switzerland. I'm willing to bet for that money that aren't made in Switzerland. A Swiss company with factories offshore? Pferd is a French company, but their files aren't made in France any longer.

I recently used some Vallorbe chainsaw files. Some of the cutters were harder than the file. 1.5 files for the resharpen of the old Oregon chain. The files were utter rubbish. Replaced them with Stihl branded files which were somewhat better.

The vallorbe chainsaw files are now branded 'Swiss' as opposed to 'Swiss made'. Swiss company and files are made in India apparently as per handsaw sharpening threads.

Ken

Hi Ken,

There was also some confusion over the Grobet brand name, so files marked Grobet USA ( made in India ) are evidently nothing to do with the Swiss made Vallorbe Grobet, AFAIK.

I'd also be suspicious of Vallorbe Swiss, chain saw files, especially off ebay, I'd bet money they are cheap fakes. I hadn't heard they were outsourcing to India, that's most unlike the Swiss.

Ray

PS. Here's some more detail http://lumberjocks.com/replies/607310

Originally Posted by Toggy

I recently used some Vallorbe chainsaw files. Some of the cutters were harder than the file. 1.5 files for the resharpen of the old Oregon chain. The files were utter rubbish. Replaced them with Stihl branded files which were somewhat better.

The vallorbe chainsaw files are now branded 'Swiss' as opposed to 'Swiss made'. Swiss company and files are made in India apparently as per handsaw sharpening threads.

Ken

Thanks Ken
that explains what went wrong, here's me thinking I got a packet of duds.

Phil

My best garage sale score ever was a massive box of old Nicholson and Wilshire files from the shed of a old fella that died , hardly used , pretty much every cut and size and style , rounds half rounds , flats safety edges the hole kit and caboodle ,, 20 bucks including the box

Ive read that Nicholson and Bahco are good. Found out Masters sells them so went and had a look. Both sets sell for $63 for a set of five files. Had a close look and feel of them and just got that feeling that they are cheap stuff out of China. Anybody bought them recently from masters and got fair bit of use out of them.

Originally Posted by turfy77

Ive read that Nicholson and Bahco are good. Found out Masters sells them so went and had a look. Both sets sell for $63 for a set of five files. Had a close look and feel of them and just got that feeling that they are cheap stuff out of China. Anybody bought them recently from masters and got fair bit of use out of them.

About ten years ago a friend gave a new set of Bahco files. I think these examples I have were made in Portugal ? Anyway they have been good files and have lasted well . They come in a plastic roll . Mike