raspeln

Raspeln is the plural form of the German noun Raspel, meaning a rasp or file: a hand tool with a rough, toothed surface used to remove material from wood, metal, or other hard materials. Raspels come in a variety of shapes and tooth patterns, ranging from coarse to fine, and in different cross-sections such as flat, half-round, or round. They are typically made of hardened steel and equipped with a handle for grip. Use involves a back-and-forth or push-and-pull motion to shape, smooth, or rough out contours, with more aggressive rasps removing material quickly and finer rasps finishing the surface. Proper technique and tool maintenance, including keeping the teeth clean and free of clogging material, are important for effective work.

Raspeln can also refer to the shavings or filings produced by rasping. The appearance and size of these shavings depend on the rasp type, the material being worked, and the cutting pattern. In woodworking, such shavings are commonly encountered during shaping and detailing stages and may be collected for waste disposal or repurposing in crafts.

Etymology traces Raspel to older Germanic roots related to rasping or scraping actions. The plural Raspeln is used when speaking of several rasps or of the shavings generated by rasping. Overall, Raspeln denotes both the tools themselves and the material they are used to create.