Farrier using a two-sided file, double-cut on the visible side and rasp cut against a horse's hoof
A rasp is coarse form of file[1] used for coarsely shaping wood or other material. Typically a hand tool, it consists of a generally tapered rectangular, round, or half-round sectioned bar of case hardenedsteel with distinct, individually cut teeth.[1] narrow, pointed tang is common at one end, to which a handle may be fitted.[2]
Rasps come in a variety of shapes - rectangular, round, and half-round - and vary in coarseness from finest, "cabinet", to most aggressive, "wood".[citation needed] They are 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.
Farriers use rasps to remove excess wall from a horse's hoof.
Rasps are used in shaping alabaster. Saws and chisels are used to rough out alabaster work.
