File and graver recommendation

[dwhite]

Can anyone recommend files for stem making (filing the flats)?  I'm looking at some gobets that are 4" and have one safe edge.  Would these work and what is the minimum set of cuts I need?  Second, does anyone know where to get a tungsten or carbide lozenge graver?  I can find some good hardened steel Mueller ones but nothing other than HSS.  I haven't bought a graver in over 20 years and I'm finding they aren't as commonly carried as they used to be.  Also, GRS seems to have taken over the market; it's harder to find other brands now.  I always though GRS was way overpriced so I always bought Muellers and Vallorbes.  That was for jewelry work, not watch repair.  Thanks again!  Dan.

[rodabod]

Are you based in Europe? If so, keep an eye out for Stubbs files which are superior to Swiss in my opinion. 

[dwhite]

I'm in the USA.  I had just heard of Stubbs the other day for the first time.  Where are they made?

[rodabod]

Stubbs were made in Sheffield, many years ago when we still had a thriving steel industry. You can still buy new-old-stock files. I would have imagined that the Americans would have made files which were superior to the Swiss. 

[dwhite]

Thanks.  I don't know why we never made good small files or maybe we did and I don't know of it.  We had, I think, a big watch repair industry here until the late 60s and several companies made watches here.