Good steel?

[wood carver 2]

The other day I came across a Nicholson file in the scrap metal bin at work. On the file was stamped: made in Mexico.
Is this likely to be any good for making into a Knife?
Dave.

[KSCATTRAPR]

I've only used the older USA made Files so I have no experience with the ones made in Mexico. If I were you, I would try to find an old USA made file just to be safe.

[wood carver 2]

I left it in the bin. I asked a machinist at work and he said he didn't like these files.
I'll wait until I find an old one.
Thanks.
Dave.

[Todd Robbins]

If you come across it again, you can put the tip on an anvil, put on your safety glasses, and give it a good, hard whack with a hammer.  If it's hardened steel it will break.  If it's case hardened, it won't. Or you could harden the tang and try to break it. Either way, all you'll know is if it's a hardened steel or just case hardened. Most of the older American made Nicholsen's were 1095 (at least the one's made in north Alabama). I found a Brazilian made Nicholsen rasp that was case hardened.

[wood carver 2]

This file went out with the recycle bin. One of the machinists at work offered to give me a 30 year old hack saw blade that he said was properly hardened and would make a good knife.
Dave.