"Recently, the price of Grobet files has exploded. I can't afford to put them in my kits."
A file is my preferred way to tune a harmonica reed. With good support of the underside of the reed, you can raise or lower the pitch by a whole semitone without changing the shape or affecting the performance of the reed.
I've been using 0-cut Grobet files which are Swiss type.
Swiss pattern files have a crisscross cut. 0 cut is the right grit - more coarse is too rough and any more fine just polishes the brass instead of removing it and clearing it with every stroke.
Grobet is an American company with a French name that makes Swiss files in Italy.
Recently, the price of Grobet files has exploded. I can't afford to put them in my kits.
I explored less expensive files. There are some problems but I've found a solution.
As they come from the factory, all of the more affordable files have troubles when used for harmonica work. They can wreck a reed. With some attention to detail and patience, I figured out how to correct those defects. The corrected files work just as well as my favorite - and exorbitant - Grobet files. I can't tell the difference.
In both photos here, you can see both files pattern close up and the results of tuning. It's the same.
Soon, my stock of Grobet files will run out and my tool kits will come with files that I've customized for harmonica work.