Pferd Wooden File Handle

The Pferd wooden file handle fits onto the tang of a round or flat chainsaw file so you can hold it firmly and file at a steady angle. It is a cheap part that makes a real difference to how well you sharpen.

Why bother with a handle

A file without a handle leaves the tang pointing straight at your palm, and it is hard to hold steady. A handle covers the tang and gives you a full grip, so you can push the file with even pressure and hold the angle across every cutter. Better control means more even cutters, a straighter cutting chain, and fewer filing-related cuts. Wood is light and warm in the hand on a cold morning, and it gives a secure grip even with gloves on.

Many sawyers keep a handle on each file in their kit so they are not swapping one handle between round and flat files.

Fitting it

Push the file tang into the handle and tap the end of the handle on a solid surface to seat it. Do not hammer on the file itself, as files are hard and can chip. If the handle loosens over time, re-seat it, and replace it if the wood splits. Some sawyers mark each handle with the file size so the right file is easy to grab from the kit. A file with a loose or missing handle should not be used until it is fixed.

Find files, guides, and stump vises in our wrenches and files section.