Nicholson 12"" Mill Single Cut Bastard File - Carded - 21842NN", multi

Across the reviewers we read, the Nicholson 12-inch single-cut mill bastard file is the pick for buyers who want one proven, brand-name file rather than a kit. A ukworkshop.co.uk forum thread rates Nicholson as making "VERY good files" (alongside a nod to Bahco), and retailer reviews quoted on desertcart describe it cutting well for sharpening blades and saws, with one reviewer noting you "can feel the bite" when sharpening. The mill pattern is well suited to draw filing, finishing metals, and touching up mill or circular saw teeth.

The brand heritage is part of the appeal: the product copy notes Nicholson's reputation for machine-cut files that are more affordable and more consistent than hand-made alternatives. A 4.8 average across 512 reviews is the highest rating among the single-tool picks here.

The honest limitations: this is a single flat file, not a set, so it won't cover round or half-round work. There's no high-trust specialist-community thread specifically validating this exact product in the signals, only general brand praise, so we weight it as solid but not community-proven. Some longtime users also note that file quality across the broader Nicholson line has been debated over the years, though the reviews attached here are consistently positive.