bastard,second,smooth files

[knifeaholic101]

anyone explain exactly what a second cut file means? i assume bastard is coarse, smooth is a finish file like sandpaper in the way as bastard is 60 grit? second is say 100 grit? and smooth is 200 grit??

[clw3]

Bastard file, a file intermediate between the coarsest and
the second cut.

Cross-cut file, a file having two sets of teeth crossing
obliquely.

File blank, a steel blank shaped and ground ready for
cutting to form a file.

File cutter, a maker of files.

Second-cut file, a file having teeth of a grade next finer
than bastard.

Single-cut file, a file having only one set of parallel
teeth; a float.

Smooth file, a file having teeth so fine as to make an
almost smooth surface.

[Mike Hull]

Just remember, if you are planning on draw filing, like a blade, lengthwise for example, get single cut files. It will save you some grief.

Get a couple of good file cards too. Keep the files clean as you use them, that will also save you some grief.

Edited to add: clw, nice information.

[knifeaholic101]

are the 16" nicolson bastard files single cut?

[howiesatwork]

Nope, bastard files are cross, or double cut.
Only a single cut file is single cut....

[IronWolf]

second cut files and smooth files are often single cut, as are lathe files. lathe files are generally cut at a steeper angle than the others.
Remember files are only meant to cut on the forward stroke, dragging them back over a piece of work will damage the teeth. when you draw file, look closely at the tooth pattern, hold the file so that when you file, the leading edge of the teeth is doing the work. I have seen a number of people ruin files by draw filing the wrong way.

[Mike Hull]

Here's a place that sharpens good files(as well as router bits, milling cutters, etc.) a lot cheaper than you can buy them, including checkering files.
They sell new files also. Give them a call and they'll tell you all you want to know about files. Get a catalog from them.
http://www.boggstool.com/

More file info.
http://www.grobetusa.com/

http://www.mscdirect.com/CGI/N2SRBR

[Dan Gray]

Originally Posted by clw3

Bastard file, a file intermediate between the coarsest and
the second cut.

Cross-cut file, a file having two sets of teeth crossing
obliquely.

File blank, a steel blank shaped and ground ready for
cutting to form a file.

File cutter, a maker of files.

Second-cut file, a file having teeth of a grade next finer
than bastard.

Single-cut file, a file having only one set of parallel
teeth; a float.

Smooth file, a file having teeth so fine as to make an
almost smooth surface.

nice thank you

[RJ Martin]

SEARS Craftsman files are really good, too. And, when they wear out, you can take them back and they will replace them. AAH....Craftsman.

[rashid11]

mcmaster.com. goto page 2500 for some nice info on hand files.

[alexmin]

Guys,

why only single cut file for drawing?
Just curious.

Thanks,
Alex

[Kevin East]

I teach fixed blade knifemaking to my students in High School. To keep files from packing up with metal filings , we run a piece of Welder's soapstone up and down the file. It works even better when filing brass and copper. A good file card (File Cleaner) will also help keep files clean and cutting. I wish there was someone close by that resharpens files.... When they get old and worn out we have to make knives out of them.

[delbert ealy]

Sidewalk chalk is as good or better than soapstone for keeping file teeth clean, and its cheap and easy to get.
Del

[logem]

Here's a LINK to a document from the Nicholson file website. It is called "Guide to Filing", and will explain terminology, form, care, etc.

Mike L.