Key Takeaway
Professional nail files use a two-part system: a reusable base (metal or plastic) plus disposable mineral refill strips. You autoclave the base between clients and snap on a fresh refill. The grit number tells you coarseness: 80 is aggressive removal, 240 is fine finishing. One metal base lasts years; you go through refills.
In This Guide
If you've been buying pre-made nail files and tossing them after each client, you're spending more than you need to. The professional filing system works differently: a permanent base that you sterilise, plus mineral strips that peel off and get replaced. One base, hundreds of refills over its lifetime.
The MBE-20 metal base is the second most ordered product in our entire store. Over 450 units shipped to Australian salons in the past year. Most of those customers come back for refill packs every few weeks. Once you switch to this system, disposable files become a running cost measured in cents per client rather than dollars.
This guide covers the base options, what the grit numbers mean, how the PapmAm refill system fits together, and when a laser file makes more sense.
How the Base + Refill System Works
Two parts. The base is a flat board made from stainless steel, plastic, or wood. It has a smooth surface designed to accept adhesive-backed mineral file strips. The refill is a thin abrasive strip with a peel-off adhesive layer on the back.
You press the refill onto the base, use it for one client (or until it dulls), peel it off, and sterilise the base. No adhesive residue stays behind on quality bases because the surface is polished smooth. The base goes through your autoclave, dry heat oven, or chemical soak. Fresh refill for the next client.
Why this matters for compliance: Australian state health regulations require single-use or sterilised instruments between clients. Disposable refills on a sterilisable base satisfy both requirements cleanly.
Choosing Your Base
Shape: Straight vs Crescent
Straight bases (EXPERT 20 series) are the standard. Flat filing surface, works for natural nails, extensions, free edge shaping. The crescent base (EXPERT 40) curves inward, which follows the cuticle contour better during surface prep. Most techs start with straight and add crescent later for specific clients.
Material: Metal vs Plastic vs Wood
| Base Type | Sterilisation | Durability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal (MBE series) | Autoclave, dry heat, chemical | Years of daily use | Salon workhorses; buy once |
| Plastic (SPBE series) | Chemical disinfection only | 6-12 months | Mobile techs; lighter weight |
| Wooden (WBE series) | Single-use | One client | High-volume salons; bulk packs of 50 |
Metal is the professional standard. The MBE-20 has edge notches along both sides that make peeling off used refills effortless, even with gloves on. It weighs enough to feel solid without causing hand fatigue over a full day.
For crescent work, the MBE-40 follows the same build quality with a curved profile.
The shorter MBE-20s (130mm) exists for detail work and smaller hands. Plastic bases in the SPBE range can't go through an autoclave, but they're lighter and cheaper, so mobile techs who travel between clients sometimes prefer them.
Pro Tip from Olena
"I keep four MBE-20s in rotation so I always have a sterile one ready. By the time I've used the fourth, the first is out of the autoclave and cooled." — Olena Iablonska, Founder of Beauty Tools Australia
Grit Numbers Explained
Lower number = coarser abrasive = faster material removal. Higher number = finer abrasive = smoother finish. Every refill file is labelled with two numbers (e.g. 100/180), one for each side.
| Grit | Coarseness | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | Very coarse | Acrylic/hard gel removal, heavy shaping |
| 100 | Coarse | Extension shaping, shortening length |
| 150 | Medium | General shaping, natural nail free edge |
| 180 | Medium-fine | Natural nail shaping, smoothing after coarser grit |
| 240 | Fine | Final finishing, pre-polish smoothing |
A dual-grit file like 100/180 gives you both sides in one pass: shape with the 100 side, refine with the 180. For natural nail clients, 180/240 is the workhorse combination. Anything below 150 on a natural nail risks thinning the plate.
If you're doing extensions all day, stock 80/100 and 100/180. Natural nail salons can skip the 80s entirely and focus on 150/180 and 180/240.
PapmAm Refills: Shapes, Packs & What Fits Where
PapmAm is the STALEKS disposable filing system. The refills are mineral-coated strips with adhesive backing. They come in packs sized to match each base.
| Refill Code | Shape | Fits Base | Pack Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFE-20 | Straight | MBE-20, SPBE-20, WBE-20 | 25 pcs |
| NFE-40 | Crescent | MBE-40, SPBE-40 | 25 pcs |
| NFB-21 | Straight (standard) | MBE-20, SPBE-20 | 5 pcs |
| NFB-31 | Straight (broad) | MBE-20, SPBE-20 | 5 pcs |
| NFB-41 | Crescent | MBE-40, SPBE-40 | 5 pcs |
| NFX-22 | Straight (premium) | MBE-20, SPBE-20 | Single |
| NFX-42 | Crescent (premium) | MBE-40, SPBE-40 | Single |
The EXPERT 25-packs (NFE series) are the best value for busy salons. The SMART 5-packs (NFB series) let you try different grits without committing to 25. EXCLUSIVE singles (NFX series) are the thickest, most durable refills in the range, built for techs who want a premium feel.
Every grit combination from 80/80 through to 240/240 is available across all three pack types. Check the full nail files collection to see every option.
Laser Files: The Permanent Option
Laser files are one-piece stainless steel files with a laser-etched abrasive surface. No refills, no adhesive, no parts to replace. They sterilise in the autoclave and last indefinitely.
The trade-off is versatility. A laser file has one fixed grit on each side, so you need multiple files for different tasks. Disposable refills let you change grit in seconds on the same base. Laser files suit techs who prefer a rigid, traditional filing feel and don't mind keeping a set of 3-4 files in their kit.
The EXPERT 10 (170mm) is the full-size option. The EXPERT 11 (155-165mm) is narrower and lighter, better for detail work around the sidewalls.
Pro Tip from Olena
"I still keep a laser file in my kit for shaping thick toenails during pedicure. The rigid steel doesn't flex the way a mineral refill does, which gives you more control on hard keratin." — Olena Iablonska, Founder of Beauty Tools Australia
Quick Pick by Task
| Task | Base | Grit |
|---|---|---|
| Gel/acrylic extension shaping | MBE-20 (straight) | 100/180 |
| Natural nail free edge | MBE-20 (straight) | 180/240 |
| Surface prep around cuticle | MBE-40 (crescent) | 150/180 |
| Heavy acrylic removal | MBE-20 (straight) | 80/100 |
| Pre-polish smoothing | MBE-20 or MBE-40 | 240/240 |
| Pedicure toenail shaping | Laser file EXPERT 10 | Fixed (laser) |
| Mobile/travel kit | SPBE-20 (plastic) | 100/180 + 180/240 |
A starter kit for a manicure-focused salon: one MBE-20, one MBE-40, and a 25-pack each of 100/180 and 180/240 refills. That covers extensions and natural nails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I autoclave the metal base?
Yes. MBE series bases are stainless steel and handle autoclave, dry heat oven, and chemical disinfection. Remove the refill strip before sterilising.
How many clients does one refill strip last?
One. Replace the strip between clients. That's the hygiene point of the system. On natural nail services with minimal filing, some techs get two light sessions from one strip, but for compliance it's safest to replace each time.
Do PapmAm refills fit non-STALEKS bases?
STALEKS refills are cut to match STALEKS base dimensions. They'll physically stick to any flat surface, but the edges may overhang or fall short on bases from other brands. For a clean fit, match the refill series to its corresponding base (NFE-20 to MBE-20, NFE-40 to MBE-40).
What grit should I start with?
100/180 is the most versatile dual-grit. The 100 side handles shaping, the 180 side refines. For natural nail only salons, start with 180/240 instead. See the grit table for the full breakdown.
What's the difference between NFE, NFB, and NFX refills?
Pack size and grade. NFE is the EXPERT line (25-pack, best per-unit value). NFB is SMART (5-pack, good for sampling grits). NFX is EXCLUSIVE (sold individually, thickest mineral coating). All three fit the same bases. See the refill compatibility table.
Straight or crescent base first?
Straight (MBE-20). It handles free edge shaping, extension work, and general filing. The crescent base is a specialist tool for surface prep near the cuticle. Add it second.
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