File (tool)

A file is a tool used to shape materials, by wearing away some of it. Today, files are usually made of a steel bar that has a rough surface. By rubbing the surface against a material, some of the material is scraped away. There are also nail files used to shape a person's fingernails. Files can also make a surface smooth so that there are no gaps, which is useful when two surfaces need to be attached to each other. A file is "blunt" if it is the same size on both ends, and "tapered" if one end is smaller than the other.

Different kinds of hand files. The material has been made stronger with diamonds.

Detail of a file