Why should you have a handle on a file?
Why should you have a handle on a file? |
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Files are sometimes produced and sold without handles. | |||
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This is because handles can often outlast files. Once a file is blunt, it’s cheaper to replace it than it is to sharpen it or re-cut the teeth. | |||
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Some files, such as needle files, escapement files and ignition point files, have pre-forged handles instead of tangs. These files are referred to as solid handle files and will not fit inside other handles.
For more information, see: and |
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Handles are available to buy separately, but wouldn’t it be cheaper just to use your file by gripping it by the tang? | |||
What can happen if you don’t use a handle? |
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File tangs are deliberately made to be narrow and to come to a blunt point. This is so that they can fit inside handles. | |||
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Holding the file by the narrow tang does not allow you to get a decent grip on the file, making it much more difficult to control than normal. | |||
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Additionally, having the tang’s blunt end digging into your palm, while having to maintain the pressure needed to hold the tang securely in your fingers can become very uncomfortable after a while. | |||
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This can distract you and lead to mistakes! | |||
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