Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Wood working file ???

I want to remove some wood from a set of Hogue combat revolver grips. What file do I need to use for contouring before stepping down to sandpaper for final finishing?

Thanks, RS

RipSnort;
Top of the morning, I hope wherever this finds you, it finds you well and with acceptable weather.

Depending upon the radius of the contours, I find myself using an old "Four in Hand" rasp more than almost all the rest of my fairly extensive collection of rasps and files.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nicholson-8-in-4-in-1-Hand-Rasp-and-File-21860NN/206710022

If your contours are smaller, then a round rasp of the appropriate diameter is handy.

https://thetoolcribymm.ca/products/lot-0377-12-round-file-course

Nicholson used to be the brand I looked for, but all my stuff is at least 20 years old and some of it 40 so I'm not sure what's still made with decent steel anymore sorry.

I know I bought a newer "offshore" four in hand awhile back that was unmitigated poo.

Hope that made sense and was useful.

Good luck with the project and all the best.

Dwayne

Thanks Dwayne! That 4-in-1 is exactly what I need. I'll be right by my Home Depot this week so I'll run in and pick one up.

Best to you.

RS

Get a Nicholsonpatternmakers file. Tapered, flat on one side and curved on the other.

https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/nicholson49patternmakersrasp.aspx

Whenever I need to shape wood in the workshop, my favorites are the Iwasaki Carving Files with an added wooden handle. Here I'm shaping an airfoil on a kickup rudder for a small sailboat:

https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/iwasaki-carving-files.aspx

Grobet Vallorbe are the bees knees.

Still Swiss made last I knew.

I think Grobet USA are American made. Not as good. But still good.

The Gunsmiths at Colonial Williamsburg and I were talking files and agreed on the Grobet Vallorbe

$$$$ but if you need fine……none better

For rough shaping my 4 way rasp gets a lot of use. However, for fine work and contouring where you don't want to remove large amounts and you need to control your contours it is hard to beat this Grobet file. They are made in different grits and grades, so choose the one you need as they aren't cheap- but they are worth every penny IMO


[img]https://www.amazon.com/Swiss-Pattern-File-Grobet-Halfround/dp/B07WCQ8GVT/ref=sr_1_13?crid=37CUDTTYVO2SR&keywords=Grobet+wood+finishing+files&qid=1684630779&sprefix=grobet+wood+finishing+files%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-13[/img]

Grobet files are worth every penny.

You can use different grits of sand paper glued to a piece of wood whatever shape you want. Wood rasps leave a lot to clean up and you can get deeper than intended.

At that scale, probably small tools like round chainsaw and some fine crossing files. Then time and patience. Rasp etc bite too deep.

Actually not. For rough shaping you need an aggressive cut. A chainsaw file is for removing very tiny amounts of metal.

All good suggestions. I still buy a few Nicholson files from McMaster - Carr , as we have an account. Now they are made in Brazil , I think.

Highland Hardware is a good source for woodworkers.