What do you use the file for?

[Fisting_Chili]

Out of curiosity, thought I'd ask.  I've never used one, lol

[bren10man]

1. Grooming.  I use the scissors to trim my nails.  I use the file to file my nails, and the tip of the file/nail cleaner to clean my nails.  So, I do the trimming and filing once every 1-2 weeks and clean my nails daily.  Been doing this for 20+ years.

2. Gunsmithing small parts, if needed.

3. Other filing tasks.

4. Hacksaw edge to trim screws, nails, etc.

FYI: I DO keep the file and scissors clean for reason 1. given above..........don't want any infections.

[edcgear]

1. Grooming.  I use the scissors to trim my nails.  I use the file to file my nails, and the tip of the file/nail cleaner to clean my nails. So, I do the trimming and filing once every 1-2 weeks and clean my nails daily.  Been doing this for 20+ years.

2. Gunsmithing small parts, if needed.

3. Other filing tasks.

4. Hacksaw edge to trim screws, nails, etc.

FYI: I DO keep the file and scissors clean for reason 1. given above..........don't want any infections.

+1 on those

and done some tip sharpening on some metal poking rod (an oversized nail with head cutted off), tryed once to sharpen an old knife...

[alelser]

Tons. By far the most useful tool for me other than the knife blades and scissors. I have a fingernail that splits if I don't keep a coating of superglue on it, but that's brittle stuff so I am forever finding myself filing it down smooth. Heck, just general personal grooming of the fingers makes it worth it's weight in silver to me. Seems like several times during the week I find a corner of something that needs to be rounded off or the edge of a wood table at work that is splintering...

But more than anything I'm constantly fiddling with stuff and it seems like there's always the need for a file when I am. So I guess the file keeps me sane.

There, I said it. The file keeps me sane.



-Al-

[Neil]

I hardly ever use it.  The fact the cuts don't run to the tip spoils it somewhat for me.  I actually use the little file on the P4 more.

[HawkeyX]

Any particular file or all SAK ones?

Have used the classic one occasionally for grooming, but more a small type pry bar lol.
The larger files (91mm) I have used for various little projects if my usual tools are not around.

[Mr. Whippy]

Cutting off nail heads that cannot be easily be pulled (common in renovation work).

Smoothing EMT before adding a coupler

Removing burrs from nuts so socket sets fit

Cutting flat sides on broken off bolts, so ViseGrips are more effective

Scoring metal before cutting with a saw.

Sharpening the top edge of chainsaw teeth (special round file for the groove, but the top needs the burred edge removed)

Cutting a groove in a frozen bolt so it can be snapped off

Sharpening various garden tools after hitting rocks (Shovel, post hole digger, rototiller tines)

Filing down brass pins on SAK mods.


I use the files on Vic 91 and 111 mm models and LM Wave/Charge, Surge and PST models.  The SAK files are better for cutting grooves, LM for sharpening but both work extremely well.  One of my favorite tools on MTs and SAKs

[Stirling3749]

I like it for woodcarving when camping. The current version of the Vic file is pretty abrasive so it doesn't leave a super smooth finish but sometimes it's better to take off more wood per stroke.
I also used the metal saw function to make little grooves on the ends of a bow I made for the string to rest, seemed to work better for this particular job than the Vic wood saw.
Same for the little grooves on the backs of homemade arrows. (I think they're called knocks or something, I'm not up on my archery terms.)

[Malarauko]

Well I once used it to file through a padlock when we lost the key after a holiday.

[GraysonK]

Depending on which file we're talking about I've used it for:
Cleaning under finger nails
Filing fingernails
Filing off nails that got broken so they didn't stick up
Smoothed rough edges of wooden stick I cut to make new walking stick
I'm sure there are other things, but that's all I can think of at the moment

[theonew]

Sharpening my machete

[Fisting_Chili]

The reason I ask is because I really like the grey blades on the OH Master RT, but I already have a OH Dual X Pro and aside from the file I was trying to justify the need to buy it.  Guess its a want not a need.  Sigh....

[Stirling3749]

Well I once used it to file through a padlock when we lost the key after a holiday.

Nice. 

[AHB]

Sharpening my machete

Well I once used it to file through a padlock when we lost the key after a holiday.

Nice. 

+1 

[Styerman]

I have used it a time or two for plumbing repairs , in very tight spaces .

Chris