Nicolson file question

[amicus]

Whats the difference bewteen a flat bastard file and mill bastard file? Is the flat a double cut file? Thanks. Gilbert

[Ray Hammond]

a flat is usually double cut on the flat sides, single cut on the edges, and a mill bastard is a single cut that tapers in width toward the end away from the tang, I believe.

[JEFF B]

you are right ray.    any way both files will work good on double blade broadheads.  

[NoCams]

Ray has it right. Remember to use your file for broadheads only and it will last much longer and save you a sharpening headache. I even take a sharpie and number the sides of the file 1 & 2. I use side 1 for rough filing my Wensel Woodsmans, hogging off the rough mill finish. Side 2 is for the light strokes after all my sharpie marks have been taken off the WW. If you will chalk the file first it will stay cleaner too. I use a tootbrush style brass brush to clean the filings out of the teeth of the file, cuts much faster and cleaner. Better get you some Rogaine to help grow hair to test your Wensel Woodsmans. You will be clean shaven for sure !!!

nocams

[amicus]

Thanks Guys,

I wore out my first file trying to get the hang of sharpening my broad heads. Just when I was getting better at it my file quit biting on the metal. Today I went and bought the Nicolson but was a little confused when I saw the mill next to the flat andthey both appeared to be the same. I think the mill is a finer cut as well? Not sure. Nocams, do you chalk up before sharpening and then clean with brass brush? I heard that the chalk will absorb moisture and start to rust the file. Gilbert

[OconeeDan]

When you wear out the Nicolson files, they make great knife blades!

[nockhunter]

Nicolson files are my favorite, for knives.

Mike

[NoCams]

Amicus,
Are you sure the mill file was a mill bastard ? Within the mill family you have Mill Bastard and Mill Smooth, obviously the mill smooth is a little finer pitch. Get you a Nicholson 12-16" mill bastard and mark the sides 1 & 2 mentioned above. Chalk the file up before you start and as you work occasionally use a brass brush or file card to clean the teeth out. Do not touch the face of the file with your sweaty and oily hands and your file will stay cleaner longer. Most files rust from sweaty hands ! Since the file is so large you really have no need to touch it anyway, you will simply place it on the bench and be dragging your Wensels backwards over the file. Hope this helps ya out ? Yes, 12 years of aerospace machinist work will teach one the in's and out's of files, haha !!!

nocams

[Fletcher]

The mill means a single cut.  Bastard is coarse, smooth is finer.  Shorter files have finer teeth.  Most trad suppliers have some very good smooth cut files.  Always cut into the file's teeth.  Dragging backwards dulls the file.

[Artur]

When using any type of file, do not apply pressure on the return stroke, i.e. when you return the file to the "starting the cut" position. If you do, you will make the file wear out faster.

They are designed to cut in ONE direction only.

[Dave2old]

Dan and Mike -- files are brittle and break easily. Do you take some of the temper out for knife blades? I have several old ones I'd like to experiment with, but don't want knives that break. Thanks, dave

[OconeeDan]

Dave, I have only made a handful of knives with files, I have never done anything to change the temper.
Yes, they are very hard, and are harder to sharpen.  But once sharp, they stay sharp for a long time.
Never had one problem with brittleness, period. Never a break, or chipped edge ever. But I don't use them for prying either!
Dan

[Dave2old]

Thanks, Dan. But sometimes a fella just has to pry! LIke the root that sticks you in the butt at an otherwise perfect ground blind. I'll give it a whirl.