Nicholson06601 8-Inch Handy File

I haven't owned a file before but I've seen some pretty "fancy" files. I know there are some files on the market with wooden handles and all that extra stuff (adding the to cost of the item). This file is one piece of steel. The handle is not very long but it's only an 8 inch file to begin with. Most of the length is the working area. Some reviewers have whined about wanting a better handle or wrapping stuff around the handle to make it all soft and comfy for them. Honestly, this file is so light (and only 8 inches long) that you don't need any special grip or padding. So light you don't even really need to use 2 hands to work it, I've been able to use it with only one hand.When I first got it out of the package, I grabbed a dull hatchet I had in the garage. This file is very sharp. I was able to sharpen that hatchet back to a working edge in only 12 strokes. I use the hatchet for wood. I'm not a fantasy-land Viking, Templar Knight, or Barbarian...I'm not concerned with slicing paper with my hatchet or throwing it into a wall. It literally took me about 12 strokes to get a hatchet that couldn't make kindling from a dry log back to having a sharp working edge.Sharp enough to get the work done quickly (e.g. only 12 strokes on a blade), light weight, small and easy to store. Good price. What's not to like? Well, ok, there may be one thing not to like--the finishing. When this file arrives, you should brush it down with a wire brush or rub it with another file or some sandpaper. I got 2 metal slivers in my hand from the handle. So be careful and wear gloves and/or get the burrs off this file before you use it.This is ideal for putting a sharp working edge on your heavy working hand tools like lawn mower blades, axes/hatchets, machetes, pretty much anything made for chopping as well as other metal items such as steel pipes, etc. If this were lost or stolen, I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

Made in China, branded a top quality. Not that good. I had to grind down the stamping flash so as to not cut myself holding it. I know how to use a file properly and it is getting dull already. 6-17-2016 OK so I was hasty in my review. This one is made in Mexico. They are still not up to par. The enclosed photos clearly show the stamping flash and no effort to remove it. Compare it to the pic of my old "made in USA" handy file, with the smooth edges and some paint on it. I understand that a company's bottom line is the bottom line. However, there are a lot of us folks who would pay a little more to have quality. Get the idea Nicholson?

I bought a Cold Steel Trail Boss axe and it came extremely dull. It's carbon steel so I knew it could be sharpened good but a sharpening stone by itself was not nearly enough so i decided to buy this file to see if I can give it a bit of an edge with this first. I have never used a file before but I got it and went to work. An hour later this axe is slicing through sheets of paper like a sharp kitchen knife! I only used the stone at the end to hone the edge and remove any burr. This file was a great investment!It's going right into the bugoutbag! ;)

This is a fine American made product just like what I used back in the 1960s it works. Does its job not just a noise maker.

The file works well as a file. It would get the fifth star if it was 1" wide rather than 7/8". My older file that I was hoping to replace is 1" wide and the difference is noticeable when in use. As a single cut and double cut it works fine once you get past the cost saving feature of 1/8' width loss.

There's not much to be said. It's a file and it works. I've only used it on a couple of axe heads and a lawnmower blade at this point, but it seems to work better than the other files I've had. No signs of wear at all so far. The only thing that could improve it would be a textured grip on the handle, but that's easily added on your own.

I create and shape very accurate geometric shapes from metals and resins, and this is my daily go-to handtool. They always come perfectly flat and sharp.The ONLY modification I make (as on ALL of my files) is to slightly round off the outermost front end edges/corners to avoid extraneous cuts or scratches on my work. They last a long time, too.This tool is copied by many importers, but never the same as a Genuine Nicholson.

I wasn't really planning on reviewing this item, but the reason I bought this particular file was the fact that at least two other reviewers says it's made in the USA. Well, it says 'Made in Mexico' on mine. Not that I have anything against Mexico (hola amigos!), and the file does exactly what files are supposed to, but I would have preferred an American made item.