first cut files

[paul wiser]

need to find a coarse first cut file. not being an expert on files, i do not know what to look for or where. need direction on where to purchase same. hopefully not too expensive. john coluccio suggested this type of file. thank you

[Carl Babel]

Paul, I am not sure what a "first cut" refers to. In terms of the basics, the two biggest factors are teeth spacing and single vs. double cut.

Teeth spacing (number of teeth per inch): there are coarse (also called bastard cut), medium (also called second-cut), and fine (also called smooth).

Single-cut files have one set of parallel teeth. These teeth should be diagonal to the body.

Double-cut files have to sets of teeth. The second set is cut at a different angle than the first.