When I owned Muzzleloader Builders Supply, I was selling both the cheap rifflers and the Swiss made Grobet 7 inch files. Both have there uses. The cheap made files are almost always short handled and rougher in the cut. The Swiss made Grobets has a superb variety in cut and shapes to choose from. I personally like the long handle for holding and the ability to reach into nooks and crannies for a superior finish. Remember this above all: every file has a peak and valley based on its cut. You have to recover (finish) all the way down to the valley. If you don't, you are left with a cut sometimes not seen until you apply stain. So the choice is always based on what you have to finish to and how much wood needs removed. The higher the number on the file is the fineness of its cut. The Swiss Grobet is the most expensive, but in their defense, I still have all my originals which some are over 20 years old. Usually my sin is to drop one and break a tip. Nevr put a needle file in a bind. Shop for sets that have the round, three sided, flat and half rounds in mostly tapered shapes included. When you break a file, don't through it away. Belt sand and water dip to keep cool and shape into a new tool like for wire inlay or a small chisel.
Susie W-B
