Barrette files are tapered in width and thickness, coming to a rounded point at the end. Only the flat side of a barrette file is cut, leaving a safe edge and top. Measurements given are at the thickest point of the file.
Glardon-Vallorbe Swiss Made Precision Files are measured from the point where the teeth begin to the end of the file. A 6″ precision file will measure 8-1/2″ long from tip to end of tang, but it is called a 6″ file.
The coarser the file the more metal is removed. Files are graded as below:
- Cut 00 – Very coarse
- Cut 0 – Coarse
- Cut 1 – Coarse/Medium
- Cut 2 – Medium
- Cut 3 – Medium/Fine
- Cut 4 – Fine
