Hand tools for woodworking — among the common file tooth patterns, which type is specifically intended for shaping and smoothing wood (and other soft materials) during carpentry and joinery operations?

Introduction / Context:
Files are classified by tooth pattern and intended material. Metalworking typically uses single-cut and double-cut files to remove small chips from steels and non-ferrous alloys. Woodworking, however, benefits from a much more aggressive, coarse tooth pattern that can remove soft fibres quickly without clogging. This question asks you to identify the file pattern purpose-built for wood and other soft materials.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Material to be worked: wood and other soft, fibrous materials.
• Goal: rapid shaping, smoothing, and fitting in carpentry or joinery.
• Tool choices: single-cut, double-cut, rasp-cut, or a generic selection of any of these.

Concept / Approach:

A rasp-cut file has individually raised, pointed teeth arranged in rows. These large teeth slice and lift wood fibres efficiently, reducing loading and enabling fast stock removal with controlled surface finish. By contrast, single-cut and double-cut files have continuous helical rows of teeth designed primarily for metals, producing finer chip formation that tends to clog in wood unless used very carefully. Therefore, rasp-cut is the pattern designed for woodwork.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Standard tool catalogs and carpentry manuals list rasps and rasp-cut files under woodworking, while single-cut and double-cut files are listed primarily for metal finishing and fitting tasks. The distinctive tooth form of the rasp prevents the smearing and clogging common when using metal files on wood.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Single-cut file — Intended chiefly for metals; tends to clog and cut slowly in wood.
Double cut file — More aggressive on metal but still prone to clog in wood; leaves rough, torn fibres.
Any one of these — Overly broad and incorrect because only rasp-cut is purpose-designed for wood.

Common Pitfalls:

Assuming higher aggressiveness in a double-cut file translates to better wood performance; overlooking fibre tear-out and clogging. Confusing cabinet rasps, wood rasps, and metal files with similar shapes but different tooth geometries.

Final Answer:

rasp-cut file