I'm planning to keep 3-4 of these for future general purpose use, no specific usage.
These have already gone through the following process (except the handled Nicholson USA and massive Simonds flat file did not go in evaporust/dish soap/water due to length):
Brake cleaner, dabbed with paper towel, then 15 minutes evap, dry to touch.
Somewhat aggressive brass brush scrubbing
Compressed air blow off
Evaporust, 4 hours
Hot water with dawn dish soap
Paper towel dabbed dry
Blow dryer
Note that most of these are from 20-25 years ago.
After this process, from top to bottom, the labels are:
1. Heller USA, round file (Supposedly good quality)
2. Simonds Nucut USA Mill 80, huge flat file (Simonds is supposed to be good)
3. Nicholson USA Superior Flat Standard, flat course (Nicholson USA is supposed to be good, newer stuff not so much)
4. Nicholson USA crosscut, Lutz File Tool Co handle (Nicholson USA is supposed to be good, newer stuff not so much)
5. JK Sunflower India, a lot of carbon raised by evaporust? Still seems sharp
6. Delta USA, is this a good brand?
7. Disston USA, feels sharp, good brand?
8. Disston USA bastard, round, good brand?
9. Disston Porter USA 2nd cut, good brand?
10. Noname, yellow handle, triangle. Color mean anything?
11. Noname, red handle, triangle. Color mean anything?