Reply To: Which saw files to buy?
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Here is an attachment and a post from a guy who knows his files, he actually started a petition through change.org to get manufacturers to start making quality files. From memory he got something like 10,000 petitiions mostly were from the US being the highest then the UK sadly only 3 etitioned form Australia.
Please read the follwoing and download the attachment pdf.
STILL KNOWN TO BE GOOD QUALITY FILES
Pferd – made in Germany, but also have production plants all over the world – caution advised Available in Australia (part range)
Vallorbe – made in Switzerland. Their Precision Files are regarded as the benchmark. Available in Australia (tiny part range)
Liogier – made in France. Regarded by 7 testers as reminiscent of the quality and value for money that was available in the 1960s. Available to Australia (full range)
Grobet – has been a great Swiss made file, not all production is in Switzerland now (Mexico does some, and maybe some Sub-Continent production) Available in Australia (part range) EDIT: some doubt as to whether the are actually available here (as Grobet), or whether they are in fact Vallorbes.
Bahco – production now in Portugal, perhaps elsewhere. I have read the the steel used is Swedish Sandvik. Available in Australia (part range)
F.Dick (but no longer make their own files – rebadged files made by another manufacturer) N/A in Australia
HAVE BEEN GOOD – If you can find old ones that are unused or still sharp then snap them up, otherwise “reserve judgement”.
Nicholson – the American legend is now made in Portugal and Mexico
Wiltshire – the Aussie legend is now made in the Phillipines (and I’m not even sure if that’s still happening)