Warding files

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What are they.?

Are they a good general purpose file for use in the model engineers workshop and worth buying a set.?

Cheers, Nick

I've always understood the warding file to be a particular shape of file like this quote from Wickipedia:

"Warding files are parallel in thickness, tapered in width, and thin. Like a hand or flat file that comes to a point on the end. Used for flat work and slotting."

I've always been somewhat puzzled why the importers of sets of files call them "warding"

But I've got a couple of sets of smallish ones that are an intermediate size between needle files and the larger ones. Quite a cheap way of keeping a set solely for use on brass. Quality is, to say the least, variable.

HTH

Rod

A warding file is for filing "wards" in keyholes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warded_lock

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You just beat me to it

... see also **LINK**

MichaelG.

Isn't the ward an internal component rather than the (external) keyhole - or am I being lockpicky?

There is a superb classic photo depicting a locksmith's hands working on a lock which I think was included in Eric de Mare's book. Can anyone point to this? Having given the book to a budding photographer some years ago, I should like to check my recollection.

Warding files have the 2 edges plain, only the 2 faces will cut. Lovely files for opening up square holes and filing nice and square corners. Fine and coarse are useful additions to any tool kit.

Clive

All well and good but Nick's question was about sets of files, I assume, like these **LINK**

Rod

I'd expect them to machinists files as per this that comes up when the term is googled

Warding files are machinist's files and are frequently used by locksmiths. They are named after the shaped openings in keyholes that act as a barrier to lock picking, as they are used to both deburr and repair them. They can also be used to file the notches in a key that allow it to fit into the warding.

I've bought them from tool shops often enough and would expect any particular shape of file, rather a set with circa 100mm blades plus handle that includes at least a flat blade with 1 or 2 safe edges, 1/2 round, round, 3 square, square. The actual file length including handle is likely to be around 150mm or more.

The last set I bought are described as miniature files Including a warding file - just to add to the confusion - with one safe edge or maybe that's the tapered flat one with no safe edge. Bought because my previous set are a bit long in the tooth now.

**LINK**

John

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Edited By John W1 on 29/10/2015 16:35:53

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Hi Rod,

That is actually the CK set I have ordered.

Nick

Nick,

I suspect that no-one [especially not CK] will care, but; in my 'umble opinion you have ordered a set comprising one Warding File and five other shapes.

However: I am sure that you will find them useful.

MichaelG.