Which saw files to buy?
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- This topic has 39 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 11 months ago by Salko Safic.
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I had to do a little research myself.. It appears, Gorbet makes files in the US and Switzerland.. At least that’s what I got from Gorbet of USA’s website and various other websites. Maybe they have another manufacturing facility in India that distributes to that part of the world?
Maybe you could get one file and test it out before committing to a whole set?
10 May 2014 at 1:33 pm #56967I’ve written to them and asked them directly what the story is, this should shed some light if I ever get answered. Like you said I should buy one and test it out but considering they’re only $8 ea I’m not even going to bother besides even if they are not any good I really don’t have a choice in the matter I can’t get them here, Lee Valley’s shipping fees are going to be more plus I don’t even know the brand of those and everyone else on the net sells gorbets so by far LN has come out the cheapest.
I’ve come to realise even more just how important it is to support these smaller tool makers, I know they are not cheap but they are of the highest quality and this is a rarity in today’s throw away society.
I just found out their planes are not shipping out using UPS first class which is the cheapest shipping rate for a 5 1/2 the cheapest is $76. but atleast you know what your up for before proceeding with the check out.
11 May 2014 at 5:21 am #56993Here is a response I got from an experience file guru in our Australian woodwork forum.
As Bushmiller states there is no one brand that can be relied upon to be the best across the PPI range. There is a whole world of obfuscation out there about saw files and where they are manufactured, with much misleading info such as “Grobet Swiss” which does not mean at all that they are made in Switzerland. I suspect the the only thing Swiss about them is that they may be packaged there.
The safest place to stay is if it doesn’t specifically state that the file is made in Country X, then it probably comes from India. If it has black printing on the shoulder of the file then it is definitely not to be considered, Bahco being an exception, and one (only one) of the Pferd range (which is still made in India)
There are only 3, possibly 4 file factories left in Europe: Liogier (who don’t publicise their files), Tome Feteira (who make for Bahco), Glardon (aka Vallorbe, who only make Precision Eng. Files and needle files).
11 May 2014 at 11:52 am #56997Very interesting,
That is more or less what you suspect with the globalisation of company’s.
In the end all you want are files that will do the job intended.
I would get at least two files for the tooth sizes of saws you have.
Saw files do not last that long keep sharpest files for final sharpening. Duller files relegate to doing shaping if the need arises.11 May 2014 at 3:31 pm #57010You know what I’ve thrown my hands in the air, I just give up you can’t win. The globalisation or worldwide intergration and development of poor quality workmanship has embedded itself in the fabirc of societies worldwide. This parasitic behaviour of low quality manufacturing for higher profits is the policy of major corporations around the world. Their cunning tactics through mass marketing has trained societies around the world like trained monkeys into being a throw away society. Such acceptance by the mass populace has led to mass unemployment, unskilled labour, more dependability on social security (dole) and a youth with no direction.
I take my hat off to Thomas Lie Nielson who stuck to his guns and uses his local community to produce tools of high calibre but not even he can compete with this parasitic mass producing parasites called corporations who has managed to slighly sneak their products onto his shelves in a very deceitful manner of word manupulation. (Gorbet Swiss made) (actually swiss packaged).
Some have written that Gorbet files Indian made will actually ruin the gullets I’m yet to find out if this is the case, so you’ve probably guessed it I ended up purchaseing Gorbet’s not because I wanted too but because I had no other viable option.
11 May 2014 at 4:53 pm #57012Don’t give up Salko! With so many quality saw makers entering the market the demand for quality saw files will once again rise as well. Supply and demand will make it profitable for a company to produce a superior saw file once again and some company will step up to meet the demand. We just have to make do for now.
Here in the US skilled workers, especially manufacturing, are at an all time low. I think the world as a whole is on the cusp of a renaissance movement. That starts with the tools and supplies. As we see the demand for quality tool production rise it follows that the items produced with these tools will be of higher quality as well. I’m not just talking about woodworking, but all things made by artisans. As we seek to find more fulfilling ways to live our lives and reject the throw-away lifestyle, we are spearheading the movement.
At least that is my hope.
11 May 2014 at 5:29 pm #57014I do feel for you we are all in the same boat.
What was the norm forty years ago is at a premium now days.
Hopefully like Greg says the demand is growing for better quality tools.
Also that they will not cost a premium.
It Very hard thing to compete with the goliath of a power and throw away society.
I can give you a few links in UK that do Bahco and others files you probably have to ask about shipping rates.http://www.workshopheaven.com/tools/Saw_Care_Maintainance.html
http://www.classichandtools.co.uk/acatalog/Saw_Files.html
http://www.my-tool-shed.co.uk/search.php?
http://www.axminster.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=saw+file
11 May 2014 at 11:17 pm #57025Thanks for links I have bookmarked the first two.
Well I certainly hope that a movement has begun I don’t doubt in the US and UK it has but in Australia it most certainly hasn’t. We are an over goverened society a dorment docile nation with an attitude of “she’ll be right mate just slap it together” what little skilled mechanics we have here are hidden from view, old and frail, unwilling or uninterested in passing their skill to the next generation. You may see some truly knowledgeable people pop up in the forums now and then but they are becoming fewer in the number.
We are a nation of resource plunderers not a nation of producers, simple timbers like Hoop Pine that grows in abundance in Queensland are becoming a scarcity to buy due to our overesteemed government who prefers to sell it off overseas than to see the needs of it’s nation. Local lumber yards struggle to get timbers that was once so readily available to them due to monopolisation of a single milling yard. Yes one bloody supplier who refuses to supply it’s state regularly with much needed timber instead with the support of the govt. ships them off overseas. This is the direction our government has set upon us. I may go on and on but I won’t.
12 May 2014 at 2:19 am #57031You guys have been great and your words of encouragement both Mark and Greg has brought me some degree of hope. I sincerely hope that one day single operating artisans who specialise in custom furniture, clock makers etc are brought back in from the cold and one day put food on the table doing the job they truly love and not to forget having an apprentice in their shop for 7 not 4 years.
13 May 2014 at 7:36 am #57068Here 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 AustraliaHAVE 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)Attachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.13 May 2014 at 11:30 am #57073Interesting report Salko, thanks for posting, I find it difficult to understand why it is so difficult to manufacture saw files today to an equal quality that was being achieved way back. Given the correct material processes and quality control it should not matter which country they are made in. It should not cost much more to make a good file than a poor one.
13 May 2014 at 12:21 pm #57077This my friend I truly don’t have an answer too. I have tried to come up with one and everytime I write something I end up deleting it. I haven’t anything from Paul on this subject, I would like to know what his thoughts are.
13 May 2014 at 1:51 pm #57080I was toying between Lee Valley and LN and I chose LN to be more of a trustworthy source now I read Paul recommends Lee Valley I wish I had of asked this question earlier. But now this is the least of my concerns someone has maxed out my credit card some thieving mungral who detests to work for living but would rather steal from poor hard working sods like myself.
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