The Nicholson combination Magicut/rasp file is 14" long and has a rectangular shape with American pattern rasp-cut teeth on one side for aggressive removal of wood or soft materials on straight surfaces, and coarse (also called bastard) grade single-cut (Magicut) chip-breaking teeth on the other side for shaping straight surfaces with a rough finish. The rasp's density of six teeth per row provides a smoother finish than standard horse rasps that have five teeth per row. The Magicut teeth are single-cut and divided by angular serrations into shorter cutting edges for chip breaking and clearance to help provide a smoother finish. The file has single-cut teeth on the edges for smoothing. The tang can be used with an optional handle for secure gripping (sold separately).

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.