Nicholson Closed Its Last American File Factory in 2011 (3 Brands Still Cut Steel in the USA)

Nicholson files were once the gold standard of American craftsmanship — teeth cut so precisely they grabbed steel like they meant it. But somewhere between a $3 flea market find stamped "USA" and a $14 hardware store replacement stamped "Mexico," something was lost. This video digs into the full story of Nicholson's rise from a Rhode Island machinist's apprentice to the company that mechanized file-cutting for the entire world — and why their last American factory went dark in 2011. If you've ever felt the difference between an old tool and a new one, you already know this story matters. William Thomas Nicholson started with serious mentors, built weapons for the Union Army, and then spotted the opportunity nobody else saw: American files were still being cut by hand, one tooth at a time, slow and inconsistent. What he built changed manufacturing forever. But this video doesn't stop at Nicholson's fall — we also track down the 3 brands that are still cutting steel files right here in the United States, because American file-making isn't completely dead yet. Whether you're a machinist, a hand-tool collector, or just someone who respects things built to last, this one's for you. 1. American Made Files Blog - Nicholson Files http://americanmadefiles.blogspot.com... 2. Wikipedia - Nicholson File Company Mill Complex https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nichols... 3. Charles W Bullock - Nicholson File Anderson History http://www.charleswbullock.com/Guide/... 4. American Made Files Blog - February 2014 http://americanmadefiles.blogspot.com... 5. The Cullman Times - Nicholson File Closing https://cullmantimes.com/2010/10/29/n... #handtools #madeInUSA #toolhistory #americanmanufacturing #machinist #vintagetools #Nicholson #filetools #industrialhistory #toolcollector #shoptools #metalworking #americanmade #fleamarketfinds #manufacturinghistory