A tool used for smoothing and shaping wood. It typically consists of a hardened steel bar with a series of ridges or teeth cut into its surface. Files are primarily used for refining shapes, smoothing out rough surfaces, and removing small amounts of material. They are especially useful for final touches after the main carving work has been done with knives, gouges, or chisels. Files come in various shapes and sizes, each designed for specific tasks. Common types include flat files, round (rat-tail) files, half-round files, and triangular files. Each shape allows the carver to work on different contours and details of the wood piece.
