The Nicholson farrier rasp file is 14" long and has a rectangular shape with American pattern rasp-cut teeth on one side for aggressive material removal and coarse (also called bastard) grade double-cut American pattern teeth on the other side for rapid removal of material with a rough finish. The rasp's density of six teeth per row provides a smoother finish than horse rasps with five teeth per row. The file has single-cut teeth on the edges for smoothing. A handle is forged on the end of the file, with cushion grip on the handle and tip for comfort.

Hand files are used to remove material and smooth and shape workpieces. They have forward-facing cutting teeth and cut when pushed over either a stationary or rotating workpiece. Single-cut teeth are single rows cut diagonally across the width of the file. Double-cut teeth have two sets of rows cut in opposite directions. American pattern files have three coarseness grades. Coarse, also known as bastard cut, is suitable for efficient, heavy material removal where finish is not a concern. Medium, also known as second cut, offers average material removal and finish quality. Fine, also known as smooth cut, provides the smoothest finish. Swiss pattern files have eight coarseness grades, from 00 (coarse), 0 (medium), and 1 to 6 (fine to finest), offering a smoother finish than equivalent American pattern files. For Swiss pattern files the length of the tool is the length of the blade, not counting the tang, which is the pointed end fitted for a handle; for American pattern files the length of the tool is its entire length, including the tang.

Nicholson manufactures hand tools and power tool accessories. The company is headquartered in Sparks, MD.