Rasp

This article is about the filing tool. For other uses, see RASP (disambiguation).

A rasp is a coarse form of file used for shaping wood, metal, or other material. Typically a hand tool, it consists of a generally tapered rectangular, round, or half-round sectioned bar of case hardened steel with distinct, individually cut teeth. A narrow, pointed tang is common at one end, to which a handle may be fitted.^[1]

Fine wood rasp

Farrier using a two-sided file, double-cut on the visible side and rasp cut against a horse's hoof

Uses

Rasps come in a variety of shapes—rectangular, round, and half-round—and vary in coarseness, from finest, "cabinet", to most coarse, "wood".^[2] Farriers, for example, commonly use rasps to remove excess wall from a horse's hoof. They are also used in woodworking for rapidly removing material and are easier to control than a drawknife. The rough surfaces they leave may be smoothed with finer tools, such as single- or double-cut files.

Rasps are used in shaping alabaster. Saws and chisels are used to rough out alabaster work.

See also

• Metalworking hand tool
• Surform
• Woodworking tools