bastard,second,smooth files

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knifeaholic101

Joined
Oct 17, 2005
Messages
118
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??
 
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.
 
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.:D

Edited to add: clw, nice information.:thumbup:
 
Nope, bastard files are cross, or double cut.
Only a single cut file is single cut....:rolleyes: ;)
 
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.
 
clw3 said:
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.
Click to expand...
nice thank you:)
 
SEARS Craftsman files are really good, too. And, when they wear out, you can take them back and they will replace them. AAH....Craftsman.
 
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.
 
Sidewalk chalk is as good or better than soapstone for keeping file teeth clean, and its cheap and easy to get.
Del
 
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.
 
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