Nicholson Taper Files for Hand Saw Sharpening

Nicholson Taper Files for Hand Saw Sharpening

Nicholson's triangular saw sharpening files are designed for sharpening 60° teeth. The single-cut file teeth produce a smooth surface and a sharp edge on saw teeth. Files come without handles. Nicholson recommends Type A Handles for all of the taper files we carry.

Saw Pitch

Over the years saw pitch has been measured using two different systems. TPI (teeth per inch) is primarily used by British sawmakers and measures whole teeth per inch. PPI (points per inch) is primarily used by American sawmakers and measures only tooth points per inch. Measuring pitch using PPI typically results in a number one higher than measuring in TPI — on the same saw. If your saw is 4 TPI, it will be 5 PPI. Our chart below shows both for clarity — or confusion.

Don't over-stress about file selection. You won't ruin your saw if you choose the “wrong” size. As long as it's pretty close it will work. The files are fairly inexpensive so it won't break the bank to get a range that should cover most saws.

If you are sharpening Japanese saws (or saws with Japanese-style teeth), you will need a feather file due to the different tooth shape.

Larger saws - like log saws - require a much bigger file called a cantsaw file.

Listed length refers to the cutting part of the file. Overall length of the file including tang is longer.