Nicholson Flat Files, Bastard/Second Cut/Smooth

• Flat files, which are of rectangular cross section and have double cut teeth
• Used wherever metal must be removed rapidly and finish is of secondary importance
• Flat files are slightly tapered toward the points in both width and thickness and are cut on both sides
• American pattern
• Flat files are used for rapid material removal and general purpose applications.
• Double cut files consist of two sets of teeth crisscrossing each other at opposite angles. They are used for heavy stock removal.
• Bastard cut files are the coarsest files and have the fewest teeth per inch. They are used for heavy stock removal.
• Second cut files have a medium coarseness. They are used for intermediate smoothing and finishing work.
• Smooth cut files are finer files and have the most teeth per inch. They are used for detailing and fine finishing work.