I accept well-filed should be good, but will certainly have something of a rough edge. It seems logical to me to aim for a chisel-edge, but 90 degrees - i.e. honed, polished etc. But I'll find some more time to try making a few new cutters - plus the heat treating, then final hone. Report back then. AND, the Stubbs just arrived (the larger set, awaiting the needles). Wow, they are good. I think they cost £40 for about 20-odd files and the quality is really impressive. What does everyone do re handles, I do not fancy turning up 20-odd handles - do you make a few and interchange them?? If so, any tricks about getting them to fit well but change easily?