Jewelers Files

Can I get an amen on how easy it is to become obsessed with jewelers files! There are so many too choose from its simply amazing. I know its the tool I use the most and I am assuming you guys put a lot of file time in too.

In the beginning I was really into fine cut files, as high a number as I could get them. My local jewelry supply shop only sells Grobet files and so that's what I bought. The smoothest files I could get from them was a flat hand file in 3 and a half round (not half round ring) in a 4. I had high hopes of using that Grobet flat hand #3 file a lot but as it turned out, I rarely used it at all. That particular file lost its edgy cut feel right away and I was really disappointed. You know what I mean, that brand new sharp and crisp feel they have? I didn't know what happened but I didn't like it.

I then found the company that I have bought the most files from, Friedrich Dick. Their files retain that sharp, crisp feel that I love for a long time, in fact, they still have it. I know over time files wear down depending on frequency of use, how you use it and where you store it. Don't store them near your pickle or anything that can rust or damage them. Also, don't put pressure on the back stroke, it pushes the teeth over and can hinder the cut. I know with wood files it cleans the wood out of the teeth, but don't do it with metal files.

I recently bought a Friedrich Dick Half Round Ring File in a #3 cut and I find myself using it a lot, but not really for the inside of rings. Do you use a half round ring file on the inside of rings much? I find myself using sandpaper cartridges with my flex shaft and not the file. I am looking to buy a half round needle file, a quality one, not those garbage ones we know so well. If an entire set cost $12.00, its not good. :)

As my filing adventures continue, I will write more, thank you!