What is a "******* file" ?

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Many of us know that to sharpen crampons you use a "******* file". So years ago I went to the local hardware store, asked for a ******* file, payed for it, and have been using it ever since. But the name obviously intrigued me. Not enough to search for it on Wikipedia until a few minutes ago, when I got me answer:

A file's teeth can range from rough, coarse and ******* (meaning intermediate) to second-cut, smooth and dead smooth.

So all "*******" means in this context is somewhere between coarse and smooth. I sure had been hoping for something more interesting

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Well, you may use a "*******" file, but I can assure you mine is quite legitimate!

I think of that type of file as a "flat" file (as opposed to round, tri-angular, etc), which comes in different lengths, widths and degrees of coarseness.

 

[nartreb]

I suspect it comes from the secondary meaning of "irregular" or "unusual" - neither the coarsest cut nor the "second cut".

But like most files it does always remind me of a series of bends sinister (a common heraldic symbol of *******y).

 

[DougPaul]

The instructions that I have seen call for a ******* mill flat file. A mill file (also called a single-cut file) has a single set of parallel grooves, and as others have noted ******* refers to the size of the grooves, and flat refers to the shape of the file.

The full wikipedia ref is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_(tool).

Doug

 

[Paradox]

I'll keep this information on file.

 

[sardog1]

I'll keep this information on file.

Now there's a scary notion -- a dentist who thinks he'll have a need for a file in the future. (Yes, I'm aware they're used on horses' teeth.)

Okay, folks, nothing to see here. Just file on out.

 

[Grumpy]

The usual sequence I've seen for file coarsness runs:

Smooth (finest -- at about 64 teeth per inch) to 2nd Cut, *******, Middle Cut, and Rough (coarsest at about 11 teeth per inch). Whoever came up with the comment to the effect that the ******* file is one of those "neither-nor" things probably has it right -- it is neither fine nor coarse, but something in the middle.

The other variations are in the shape of the teeth (the "cut"): single (a line of parallel grooves); double (two lines of parallel grooves criss-crossing); rasp (like individual raised teeth). Then, there is the shape: half round (rounded one side, flat the other, tapered slightly toward the end opposite the tang); mill (flat and tapered like the half round); ward (flat, not tapered); rat tail (round, tapered); and triangular (tapered, for sharpening saws).

In my experience a double cut ******* mill file about 8" long is pretty good for sharpening items like hoes and shovels, and rough sharpening an axe.

G.

 

[DreamFarmer]

Any file has the potential of becoming a "******* file"..... if you sustain an injury while using it....



(Good one Kevin Rooney)

 

[Paradox]

(Yes, I'm aware they're used on horses' teeth.)

If you need one, I'll "float" you a loan.

 

[Jasper]

******* File

As I understand it, the name arose from using the file without a proper handle. The tang of the file can pierce the hand if a handle is not used. The filer then exclaims '*******' and throughs down the tool.

At least that is how my grandfather explained it.