Dan asked someone else:
>What in particular makes them work so well?


I have a bunch of these, all dirt cheap, most yard sale finds from sellers that
just wanted stuff gone and weren't concerned with what they are.

Many files get a lot of use and have their own handles. Maybe a couple dozen in
my shop.

Many other files are more specialized, and don't get their own handles- they
store a lot more compactly bare-tang, if you will. A well fit handle is, well,
well fit. It is in line, stays on in use, and fits the hand well. Depending on
the handle type, fitting can take a lot of time, removal can be difficult, and
each reuse reduces the life. (think burnt in handles, for example). There are
jobs where I might use a dozen or more files, all different, all specials.

These cast iron handle go on in seconds, are a good size, hold well, fit the
hand well, and come back off easily when desired. In my shop, these handles go
on the "all the rest" files. (I have a LOT of "and the rest" files. Last count
was several hundred a few years ago- many duplicates from NOS box lots- and I
have many more now.)


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