How good is the Spirit file?

[Magic Bus]

Superb is the answer, and so good I thought it deserved a thread of it's own. I recently fitted a set of rear door handles to my ancient VW Golf. Being pattern parts the job required slight enlargement of the handle cutouts in the outer door skins. Although I had a set of "better" files in the shed I thought I'd use the Spirit's file. It ate the job and removed metal as if it was butter  The Spirit is an amazing tool and that file is something else 

[WhichDawg]

nice story!

it is an aggressive file and I use it for harder jobs rather then my other MT files.

watch them fingernails

[Gareth]

It is indeed a cracker.  I was using mine today to help fit a lock spindle in a door.

[KiwiMark]

There are many tasks that require a good file and of all the tools found on SAKs & MTs the file is really the only one to use on the job - therefore it amazes me that so many SAKs lack a file.  I bought a Ranger to get a file on a SAK, but most of the time I carry a Cybertool 34 (no file) but also a SwissTool so that I have a file on hand (as well as some other useful tools).  I'm a computer tech and I've had a sticking power button - dismantle switch, grind a little plastic off the button, button now slides in & out as smooth as silk.  When you want to grind a little wood/plastic/metal off to make something fit, that's when you are glad to have a file on your MT or SAK.

[New_World]

everything on the spirit is good.
I even like the name!

[Gareth]

There are many tasks that require a good file and of all the tools found on SAKs & MTs the file is really the only one to use on the job - therefore it amazes me that so many SAKs lack a file.  I bought a Ranger to get a file on a SAK, but most of the time I carry a Cybertool 34 (no file) but also a SwissTool so that I have a file on hand (as well as some other useful tools).  I'm a computer tech and I've had a sticking power button - dismantle switch, grind a little plastic off the button, button now slides in & out as smooth as silk.  When you want to grind a little wood/plastic/metal off to make something fit, that's when you are glad to have a file on your MT or SAK.

it's a very good point.  The only smaller (current model) SAK I can think of with a file is the Mountaineer.  In fact I made up a Clipper just to act as a companion to carry alongside any MT that lacks a file of it own.

[ICanFixThat]

Yes there has been a lot of praise for the latest Victorinox files that are stainless steel.  This really improved the SAK file and made it best-of-class like many of the other SAK tools.

I wish some of my nice Swiss Champs had the new file, but only a very few do.  The old file is nice for some jobs as well.  I think it's time for a SAK that has the last revision of the old file, and the new SS file.