Official Luthiers Forum!

This kind of follows on from the current Auriou rasp thread.
UK availability of hand stiched rasps is sparse, but have found these http://workshopheaven.com/cgi-bin/cp-app.cgi?usr=51F4211234&rnd=5598753&rrc=N&affl=&cip=&act=&aff=&pg=cat&ref=Continental+Rasps&catstr=HOME:Rasps+%26+Files at resaonable prices from a reputable seller.
Also found these Japanese style rasps http://www.rutlands.co.uk/hand-tools/carving-tools/carving-files-&-rasps---japanese/JP1137/japanese-200mm-half-round-carving-files which are touted as "special" and look interesting.
I was just wondering if anyone has tried either of them before I lay out hard cash?

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

The Japanese ones look like Iwasaki carving files. I'm not sure if I'd call them files, rasps or floats. They're almost like a vixen file. Anyhow, I almost have the complete set except for a one or two that didn't seem useful (like the short, coarse one). They're very aggressive but leave an ultra smooth surface. I WOULD NOT WANT TO CARVE AN ENTIRE NECK WITH THEM, however I use them all the time for detail work and would be lost without them. You need to learn to use them....they require a light touch for best results. They draw file BEAUTIFULLY....draw filing properly will reward you with scraper like shavings, not dust.

Auriou is French, isn't he? You can't get Auriou's files in the UK? StewMac's dragon files are great, but I wish they had a set that didn't have such a dramatic taper to them. The taper's really nice for blending, but it makes it more difficult to do something like keeping a neck carve straight.

Auriou was out of business when I tooled up, so I ended up with junky Nicholson rasps. They used to be nice, but since they moved their rasp making to Brazil, they are just awful. Still, it gets me to a rough shape. Then I smooth it out with the Iwasaki. I'll probably pick up a couple of Auriou rasps this year.

Hi John, thanks for the reply.
Yes I can get them, $180 direct from the factory, but when I have managed 4 necks reasonably well with cheap chinese rasps/Swiss cabinet rasp + Shinto rasp/spokeshave, seems hard to justify that cost.
I know you get what you pay for, and I know quality, but do I actually need a rasp at that price?
I'd rather buy wood with the money I could save buying the Continental rasps in the first link.

_________________
The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Hi Colin,
Have you tried 'classic hand tools' its in the UK they have a website. That's where I got mine and i must say they are excellent rasps.

Peter

Thanks for that, certainly less expensive than buying direct.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

FWIW, here's a neat video about Auriou's operation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JDDA-S0eSQ

I love watching other people work. Maybe that's why I made a good manager

Consider a farrier's hoof rasp (google for that). They are dead flat, have parallel edges (not tapered, come in various widths, and have both rough and smooth sides. Best of all, if you know or can contact a farrier he/she will probably just give you a few used ones. By the time the are too dull for a horses hoof they are still _way_ sharp enough for wood work.

I started collecting these from my farrier and selling them to our luthiers group with all proceeds going back to the farrier. I've heard nothing but good reports back on them, even the ones that had rust and horse pucky on them .

FWIW,
Alan D