surform

[6] Although similar to many food graters made of perforated sheet metal, surforms differ in having sharpened rims.

A patent for a Surform tool blade was obtained in 1949 in Australia by Firth Cleveland Pty Ltd of Wolverhampton England.

An affiliated UK company, Simmonds Aerocessories Ltd., was an early manufacturer of Surform tools.

[12] By 1966, the product line had grown to include pocket plane, files (round, half-round, and flat), and an electric drill drum.

Although some of these tools are called planes, the United States International Trade Commission has ruled that under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States they belong to the class of files, rasps, and similar tools.

Even though surforms leave very coarse finishes, the worked areas can be easily smoothed with finer tools, such as files and sanding blocks.

This tool does about the same job as a spokeshave -- it can take off a lot of wood very quickly -- but I can use it without worrying about grain direction.

[21] In automobile repair shops, for decades panel beaters have used surform files and rasps to shape plastic body filler.

[22] This was soon followed by mentions such as one of the finest kitchen tools to come along in decades[4] and a miracle citrus zester and hard cheese grater.