The Friedr. Dick GmbH Professional Gunsmith Needle File – Cut #1 Hand Style (21121410) is a single, premium-quality needle file built for gunsmiths, armorers, and precision metalworkers who demand absolute control over every stroke. With a 5.5" overall length, #1 cut, and hand (flat) profile, this professional-grade file is perfect for detailed shaping, fitting, and finishing work on firearm parts where accuracy and surface quality really matter. LG Outdoors Website+2Brownells UK+2
While many sets bundle multiple profiles together, this model focuses on the essential hand-style file—the flat, go-to shape you’ll reach for constantly at the bench.
Professional-Grade Hand Needle File for Gunsmiths
This file is part of the renowned Friedr. Dick Professional Gunsmith Needle File line, known for rigid quality standards, deep, durable cuts, and long service life in professional shops. Brownells UK+1
Key performance benefits:
#1 cut (fine/medium) – ideal for controlled stock removal and a smooth, professional finish on steel and other metals LG Outdoors Website+1
Hand (flat) style – versatile profile for flats, edges, and general shaping tasks common in gunsmithing
Manufactured from high-quality tool steel designed to hold its teeth and resist rounding with regular use Brownells UK+1
Whether you’re recutting a sear, truing a sight base, or cleaning up a slide rail, this hand file is built to give you precise, repeatable results.
Deep, Durable Teeth for Clean, Predictable Cutting
Friedr. Dick’s gunsmith needle files are described as having “cuts [that] are deep and durable,” which means they actually bite into the metal instead of skating over it. Brownells+1
Why that matters at the bench:
Efficient metal removal with light pressure—no need to muscle the file
Smooth, chatter-free feel so you can sense exactly how much you are taking off
Better control when you’re fitting critical engagement surfaces like triggers, safeties, and locking lugs
That combination of bite and smoothness is what separates a true professional file from the cheap hobby-grade options.
5.5" Length – Compact Size for Fine, Controlled Work
This Professional Gunsmith Needle File is listed with a 5.5" length, the same compact size used in the full 12-piece set. LG Outdoors Website+1
Compact dimensions are ideal for:
Working inside frames, slides, and tight recesses
Maintaining a low center of gravity for better feel and stability
Precision filing where even a tiny overcut can ruin a part
Shorter needle files flex less and give more tactile feedback, making them perfect for gunsmithing and precision metalwork.
Knurled Handle Section for a No-Slip Grip
Like other files in this line, the 21121410 hand-style file features a knurled handle area on the shank. Brownells highlights these files as having knurled handles for no-slip use or convenient lock-up in dedicated needle-file handles. Brownells+1
Advantages of the knurling:
More secure grip when using the file bare
Easy to clamp into a needle file handle for added comfort and leverage
Better rotational control, so you can maintain a consistent angle on each stroke
For delicate work on sears, feed ramps, and notches, that extra grip translates directly into cleaner, more accurate work.
Perfect for Critical Gunsmithing & Metalworking Tasks
The Professional Gunsmith Needle File Cut #1 Hand (21121410) shines on tasks where flat surfaces and sharp edges must be true and smooth:
Use it for:
Refining sear and hammer engagement surfaces
Squaring and smoothing sight bases, dovetails, and rail cuts
Cleaning up screw slots, slot heads, and shoulders
Deburring edges after milling, grinding, or cutting operations
Because it’s a dedicated, flat hand-style needle file, this tool becomes your everyday workhorse file for a huge proportion of fine gunsmithing jobs.
German-Made Quality from Friedr. Dick GmbH
The file is produced by Friedr. Dick GmbH, a German manufacturer with a long-standing reputation for precision filemaking and professional-grade tools. Retailers list the manufacturer part number 21121410 and style as Professional Gunsmith Needle File, Cut #1, Hand. LG Outdoors Website+2Brownells UK+2
What you’re getting:
A German-made tool designed for working professionals
Consistent quality and geometry from file to file
Compatibility with other Friedr. Dick professional needle file sets and accessories
If you already use Friedr. Dick files, this model slots right into your lineup as the go-to flat needle file.
Ideal Add-On to the Professional Gunsmith Needle File Set
Brownells and other distributors sell a 12-piece Professional Gunsmith Needle File Set that includes assorted shapes (hand, three-square, square, half-round, round). Brownells+2Brownells+2
The 21121410 hand-style file is perfect if you:
Want an extra of the most-used profile from the set
Need a replacement for a heavily worn hand file
Prefer to start with a single file before investing in the full 12-piece kit
Since this is the shape most gunsmiths reach for constantly, having an additional hand file on the bench is always a smart move.
Key Features & Specifications – Professional Gunsmith Needle File 21121410
If you’re looking for a single, high-quality hand-style needle file that can handle the most critical gunsmithing tasks with ease, the Friedr. Dick GmbH Professional Gunsmith Needle File Cut #1 Hand (21121410) is an outstanding choice. With a compact 5.5" length, deep, durable cut, and knurled grip, it delivers the precision, feel, and longevity that serious gunsmiths and metalworkers demand at the bench.
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