Greetings members. I am a hobbyist that works on both muzzle loaders as well as modern rifles. Over the years, I've accumulated a bunch of files. Some of these are good old American made files others are just junk.

I decided to break down spend money on some quality files to make life easier. I'm looking for input in regards to size and style and even manufacturers.

My understanding is that there really aren't any good American made files anymore and I realize that I probably will need to purchase them from European manufacturers.

Thanks in advance.

If you haven't completely destroyed the USA Made files you have, send them to Bogg's Tool for sharpening. https://boggstool.com/

When I buy new files, I buy Grobet.

I am not a gunsmith in any way. OK, I lathe turn muzzle threads for muzzle breaks or suppressors, drill holes into receivers, create threads, install scope mounts, do some basic soldering, brazing etc. Just some very simple works for friends if they ask for. Generely, I like Swiss Vallorbe files.

https://www.vallorbe.com/en-ch

When in the forestry industry for 18 years our crews used Stihl chainsaws but would only use the German made Pferd brand of files. Online reviews seem to reinforce that Pferd files are the best.

Thanks for all of your replies. is tumbled on this company while surfing the web. They still have some NOS supplies of Nicholson and and Simonds USA made files at decent prices. I stocked up on some flat, half-round and triangular files. Thought that I would pas the info on to you.

https://www.artcotools.com/

Gotta second Silvers comment on the services of Boggs Tools.

I have many old Nicholson rasps and files and can't count the mix of Grobet Arioue and hand stitched French rasps. All have been to Boggs, some several times. They simply cut better
than new and at a fraction of new cost

I will definitely keep Boggs in mind moving forward. I needed to purge the crappy quality files and get some good ones. Sharpening these when they dull will be my next move.

I sent in a bunch of files to Boggs a few months ago, had mixed results. The high end shearing files and wood rasps that were $6 to $8 to sharpen, came out pretty good, I'd say 80% of new quality. The Nicholson bastard cuts that were only a dollar or two, came out better but not like new. Overall I think they were a good bargain, but not the miracle I had come to expect from the recommendations I've seen.

Essentially, the coarser the teeth, the better their process worked. The double cut and other fine files I saw hardly any improvement on; about what I would get at home from acid etching them clean. I just used one of the fine ones yesterday on a stock, and I was dismayed that it cut very little better than before I sent it in. Especially since it was one of my favorite stock files.

That's a surpise...NEVER have been disappointed with Bogg's services..even on Dremel cabide burrs, checkering files, Grobet super fine files...etc..maybe Monday morning sharpening? HAR!

Duane, I'm not disappointed, but they just didn't come out as good as I hoped. In their defense I sent in some very well worn files. If I'd started with better, the results would have been better. I think they are a great service, and a good value. And, I am very pleased with the Heller shearing file they sharpened, as those are some of my favorite stock files to use.

Here's some before pictures of some of the files.  I derusted them with electrolysis before sending them to Boggs, they told me that wasn't necessary but it really helped, I can see some rust I didn't remove stayed through their process:





Here's the after pictures:

I just received a half dozen files back from Boggs, they were in pretty good shape before I sent them but not that sharp, I'm very happy with the way they cut now.

Tell me more about the Heller file Dave. Removes material quickly? Leaves a nice finish? Both? I have a couple of American made Nicholson rasps (49&50) a Liogier rasp and one from Italy. The Nicholson's get the most use.

Steve, I like the heller shearing type files because they move material quickly, like a rasp but don't crush the wood and leave gouges and tracks that show up as you sand. They are also ideal for stocks because they leave an exceptionally flat surface. To use them, angle them about 15 or 20 degrees, and then push straight forward. They shear off thin sections like a plane or draw knife. They don't tear out figured wood, either. Primary use is in flattening sides of buttstocks and tapering forends.

Thanks for the pics. Does anybody know what process they use to sharpen files? I have etched my files with acetic acid. Just curios

They use steam and abrasive to "sandblast" the edges. Really does a nice job. Works best when teeth aren't rounded over from abuse. My rasps that had rounded teeth came back with rounded teeth. The teeth that weren't rounded over sharpened well. Same with files that had crushed in tracks from hardened metal. It couldn't fix those areas. Send them good files and rasps, you'll get excellent ones back.