Iwasaki · Made in Japan

Files that cut like a plane

Most files cut on the push stroke and leave a scratchy surface that needs sanding. Iwasaki files cut on the pull stroke, like a Japanese saw, with spiral, chemically polished teeth that lift clean, fine shavings and leave a very fine finish.

Find your file Shop the range
  • Pull-stroke cutting
  • Tested on Australian hardwoods
  • Wood, bamboo, resin & more

What makes them special

Built differently from any file you've used

The teeth imitate the cutting action of a plane or chisel. That is what makes them so popular with carvers, luthiers and furniture makers.

An ordinary rasp has rows of punched, pointed teeth.
Ordinary raspPunched teeth tear the fibres and leave a scratchy surface that needs sanding.
An Iwasaki file has a spiral pattern of blade-like teeth.
Iwasaki fileSpiral, blade-like teeth slice like a plane, lifting fine curled shavings on the pull stroke.
  • 1

    Spiral tooth pattern

    Instead of rows of punched teeth, Iwasaki teeth run in a spiral of fine blades. They imitate the cutting action of a plane or chisel, so they slice the fibres rather than tear them.

  • 2

    Chemically polished teeth

    Every tooth is chemically polished to a keen edge. The file cuts smoothly with light pressure and leaves an extremely fine finish, with much less sanding afterwards.

  • 3

    Cuts on the pull stroke

    Like a Japanese saw, Iwasaki files cut as you pull them towards you. You stay in control of the cut, even on small, delicate or awkward work.

  • 4

    Tested on Australian hardwoods

    We tested every model on the hardest Australian hardwoods. They also work on bamboo, plastic, resin and gypsum.

Who uses them

  • Carvers
  • Cabinetmakers
  • Luthiers
  • Model makers
  • Chair makers
  • Instrument makers
  • Bowl makers

What they cut

  • Hardwoods
  • Softwoods
  • Bamboo
  • Plastic
  • Resin
  • Gypsum

Find your file

Which file for which job?

Pick the job you have in mind and we'll show the files that suit it. Each card lists what the file is best for, its size and today's price.

Carving files, 100mm

Compact files with a steel handle and red rubber grip, 200mm overall. Small, precise and controlled.

Wood files, 150mm with white oak handles

Longer 150mm blades, 18mm wide, for confident shaping and fairing. The handle ships unassembled: seat it with a few firm taps of a hammer.

Round files

Three diameters for holes, grooves and internal curves, from fine detail to larger radiuses.

Floats for the plane tuner

Specialty files for tuning Japanese hand planes and working very narrow spaces.

Draw files: a mini drawknife

Pulled across the work, they behave like a small drawknife and remove fine curled shavings. Choose Rough Cut or Semi-Fine Cut.

Sets and bundles

Save on the combinations we recommend most.

At a glance

Compare the range

FileProfileBladeOverallHandlePrice
Carving File - Flat - 100mm Flat 100 × 10mm 200mm Steel, red rubber grip $42
Carving File - Half Round - 100mm Half round 100 × 10mm 200mm Steel, red rubber grip $42
Carving File - Curved - 100mm Curved half round 100mm 200mm Steel, red rubber grip $42
Carving File - Flat with Cranked Handle - 70mm Cranked flat 70 × 10mm 200mm Steel, red rubber grip $42
Wood File - Half Round 150mm - White Oak Handle Half round 150 × 18mm 265mm Japanese white oak (fit on arrival) $49
Wood File - Fine Flat 150mm - White Oak Handle Flat, fine cut 150 × 18mm 265mm Japanese white oak (fit on arrival) $49
Wood File - Extra Fine Flat 150mm - White Oak Handle Flat, extra fine cut 150 × 18mm 265mm Japanese white oak (fit on arrival) $49
Wood File - Round 3mm Dia - 90mm Round, 3mm 90mm 200mm — $42
Wood File - Round 6mm Dia - 100mm Round, 6mm 100mm 200mm — $45
Wood File - Round 8mm Dia - 200mm - White Oak Handle Round, 8mm 200mm 320mm Japanese white oak (fit on arrival) $49
Round Wood Files - Set of 3 Round, 3, 6 & 8mm 90, 100 & 200mm 200 to 320mm Steel and white oak $111
Carving File - Edge Float - 100mm Edge float 100mm, 3mm wide 200mm Steel, red rubber grip $75
Carving File - Side Float - 100mm Side float 100mm, 3mm thick 200mm Steel, red rubber grip $75
Draw File - Flat - 200mm Flat draw file 50 × 10mm 200mm Steel, blue rubber grip $56
Draw File - Half Round - 200mm Half round draw file 50 × 10mm 200mm Steel, blue rubber grip $56

Where to start

Not sure where to start?

For most woodworkers, a 100mm Flat and a 100mm Half Round cover small shaping and edge work. If you're fairing chair parts, handles or instrument necks, add the 150mm Half Round. For fast stock removal first, a Shinto rasp does the heavy lifting, then an Iwasaki file finishes the surface.

Shop the Small File Bundle

Getting the best from them

  1. 1
    Let the teeth do the work

    Use light pressure. The polished teeth cut cleanly without force, and pressing harder only tears the surface.

  2. 2
    Pull, don't push

    They cut on the pull stroke, like a Japanese saw. Pulling keeps the file tracking straight and gives you fine control.

  3. 3
    Rough out with a rasp first

    For heavy stock removal, start with a Shinto saw rasp, then switch to an Iwasaki file for a clean, finished surface.

  4. 4
    Seat the white oak handles

    The 150mm wood files and the 8mm round file ship with the handle unattached. Seat the tang with a few firm taps of a hammer.

Pair with a Shinto saw rasp

Described as the number one selling rasp in Japan. Saw blades joined in a diamond configuration remove material fast without clogging, ready for an Iwasaki file to finish.

Questions

Common questions

Are Iwasaki files rasps or files?

Both, in a way. Their spiral pattern of blade-like teeth is hard to classify: it removes material efficiently like a rasp, but slices like a plane or chisel, so it leaves a fine finish like a file.

Which way do they cut?

On the pull stroke, like a Japanese saw. Pull the file towards you with light pressure and let the teeth cut.

Will they cut hard Australian timbers?

Yes. We tested every model on the hardest Australian hardwoods, and they also work on bamboo, plastic, resin and gypsum.

How fine is the finish?

Very fine. The 150mm Extra Fine Flat file leaves a finish comparable to #280 grit sandpaper.

Do the white oak handles come fitted?

No. The 150mm wood files and the 8mm round file ship with the handle unattached. Seat the file in the handle with a few firm taps from a hammer.

Which file should I buy first?

For most woodworkers, a 100mm Flat and a 100mm Half Round cover small shaping and edge work. The Small File Bundle adds a 3mm round file for tight holes. If you are fairing chair parts, handles or instrument necks, add the 150mm Half Round.

Find the file that fits your work

Iwasaki files are in high demand and stock moves quickly. If you're unsure which one suits your project, call us on (02) 9527 3870 and we'll help you choose.

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