Using a smooth file, stroke across the cutting edge toward the blade.

Along with it, purchase a similar-size smooth file for final finishing.

Wood veneer is a little easier to work with because it can be trimmed with a utility knife and a smooth file.

The surfaces are filed, first with a rough file to remove the fire stain from the surface, then with a smooth file.

Straight, curved-a wide selection-the finest smoothing files.

For finer-edged tools like pruning shears, also buy a 10-inch smoothing file, and for both tools buy a file card, a type of wire brush for cleaning filings from between files' teeth.