Woodworking Rasp Review + An Amazing Woodworking Bargain!

[@victoryfirst2878]

I buy my rasps at flea markets and yard sales. Have more than I know what do with, but keep them all just in case things go south. Nice video too JACK.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

I've got a whole bin full of files and rasps that I've collected from various different places, too. And, of course I keep them all; just in case!

[@victoryfirst2878]

@@JackbenchWoodworking So nice others are just as future thinking as myself. Good day fella too.

[@philbob99]

The very good expensive French rasp is pronounced "Are-You" ... or so it is on several sites/yu-toobs... 👍 Helpful video!

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Good to know, thanks

[@bigoldgrizzly]

For quick rough stock removal rasping it is hard to beat a good quality farrier's hoof rasp - not too expensive compared to many you have shown us. The main limitation is that they have a choice of flat or flat.Most of them come with a single cut file on the other face with a tooth pitch of about 1/16" which is pretty quick cutting and leaves a finer finish.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Thanks for the tip. They are a bit more expensive than the ones I recommend in this video, but I'm going to try one!

[@bigoldgrizzly]

@@JackbenchWoodworking Heller is a good brand if they are available near you. I use then for roughing out axe handles Mine is the 'excel Legend' For finer work I love my Swedish Sandvik rasp that I've had for about 25 years - still a good crisp cut but they don't make them any more

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

@@bigoldgrizzly Thank you!

[@thehighestlove]

I bought the affordable Golden Rasp set after watching this video. They are amazing for creating/ working with compound curves. Thanks much!

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Thanks Sarah, I'm glad they worked out for you!

[@Cree_Money]

30seconds into the video I hit your link and ordered the $20 rasps. Been on my mind for a while to get them. Can't beat the price to start off.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

You won't regret it. They are excellent rasps.

[@TheMrchuck2000]

Well, just ordered a pair, on this recommendation. Thank you for posting this opinion; it helped me to trust that I wasn’t ordering useless junk, at least, and might have gotten a real bargain. (I’ll definitely let you know how they fare!)

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

I've had mine for years, and they're still great

[@practicalclubmaker6152]

Nice comparison. Will look into those Golden rasps. But, my experience with the Liogier rasp is opposite of yours. I have a No. 8 cabinet maker's rasp and it works superbly. I have tried both the Auriou and the Liogier and they both perform well. The model you have looks like their curved rasp which I have not tried. Most people who have tried both of the French rasps will say there is little difference between them. As for the Shinto rasp, I don't experience that digging in that you describe. With any rasp, especially without a safe edge, one could do that if one twists the edge into the wood. The Shinto has the advantage that it can be used on other hard materials like most non-ferrous metals and animal horn since they are essentially hack saw blades. I have used the Shinto for rough shaping wood and for removal of animal horn and a medium hardness metal alloy of bismuth tin over many years and they have held up like new. Thanks for the review.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Thanks for the comment. I've heard the same things about the comparison between the two French rasp makers. The one that I got didn't work well for me and I realize that may be just that specific rasp, but that was my experience. I made this video 4 years ago and I have since reconsidered the Shinto rasps and I do use them when appropriate. That said, I still really like the golden rasps and use them quite frequently. Another rasp maker that I've been impressed with is the Italian maker Corradi. I bought one of their extra fine rasps and I it leaves the finest finish of any rasp that I own. www.corradishop.com/index?psafe_param=1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwy8i0BhAkEiwAdFaeGIoJ1rqNd1W9IefufQZdU2zvuPenJi3oLOVvha3qtP8Ewop9CWTmbhoCYiMQAvD_BwE

[@practicalclubmaker6152]

​@@JackbenchWoodworkingAt this point, I have enough rasps to get the job done. But I too have been keeping an eye on the Corradi rasps, both their fine and the cabinetmaker's rasp for rough stock removal. I personally (making historic golf clubs) don't really need a very fine rasp since a card scraper does most of this work for me (except for end grain). But if anyone is out there who can convince me to get a Corradi, it won't take much arm twisting.

[@ToolMetrix]

Great information, Charlie. I bought a pair of the golden rasps after visiting your shop. I agree with your assessment. They work really well and what a great value. Hands down better than my other rasps. Thanks for the video!

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Thanks Paul, I'm glad you liked them!

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Great review! I think everyone has a need for some rasps. Even those who believe they are strictly power tool woodworkers!

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Thanks James! If a power tool is best then I will use it, but some things are better with hand tools. They're fun, too!

[@stevecollins9450]

Thanks for the review, Charlie. A rasp is a must in my shop and used alot with my carving.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Thanks Steve, I absolutely agree!

[@green_building]

Your video is very honest and its safing a lot of people who would have will to buy the rasps.. Thank you for uploading this video I appreciate it 👍👍

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Glad it was helpful, Thanks!

[@arikabearika]

I am completely new to woodworking. This was such a helpful video. Thank you for sharing this!

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful to you!

[@HS-yk9he]

Very professional. You are knowledgeable and humble .. thank you so much

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Thank you, so much!

[@joewalton6056]

Excellent review! FYI, the affiliate Amazon link product is currently unavailable. There are other "golden" rasps available for which you may want to substitute the link so you can get the kickback.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

I'm glad that you liked it, and thanks for the info about the link!

[@markp6062]

Good info! Thanks for sharing!

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!

[@jazminalfaro]

I came here because I want to clean up some old gifted dog bones for my 9 month old pup. They are pitted and sharp and catch hair and are super gross. Someone in the inter webs said “wood rasps” so here I am learning all about them. Thank you for educating me OP! Any tips for smoothing out my dogs chew bones (similar to nylabones)?

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

That's a novel use for wood rasps! The ones that I recommend in the video are a bit coarse, but they would probably work for you. It sounds like you want them for a specific and probably temporary use. Something like this would probably be good enough for your purposes and be a bit less expensive: www.amazon.com/Premium-Grade-Carbon-Needle-Sharping/dp/B09MDDTF3L/ref=sr_1_7?crid=H3WYYKJQQGN9&keywords=Wood+Rasp+4+way&qid=1645552238&sprefix=wood+rasp+4+way%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-7

[@whomadethatsaltysoup]

Thank you from Scotland for sharing your experience with rasps. I've owned and used plenty of files in my career, but never actually purchased a rasp. I recently used one to scribe some skirting board (baseboard) and have to admit; I'm a convert. As with all things in life, there is an entry level, a super-duper pro level, and everything up to and including. Personally, for my use, I don't need the sweetest, ultra smooth finish, so machined, not too expensive iterations will fit the bill nicely. I don't, as a rule, race to the bottom price wise, but I don't think I'll be needing the Lie Nielsen of rasps either. 👍

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked the video.

[@swimjay]

I wonder if the problem with your Liogier is its shape? It seems designed for concave surfaces; on a flat surface it would have a very small contact patch, maybe just a line, so could be very grabby.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Hi James, I have other rasps with similar shapes that don't "grab". My experience with Liogier is limited and I wonder if that is representative of that brand or maybe just the one that I happed to buy. Have you used any Liogier rasps, and what's been your experience with them?

[@williamentel5351]

That rasp from Liogier is for tool handles . Like the inside a a saw handle etc...I thought the hate on the Liogier rasp was misleading and this dudes video owes a apology to the Liogier company. I don’t think he knows anything about them except from the he curved rasp which sounds like he doesn’t know how to use it or what it’s actual purpose is. ( design is for inside tool handles etc...)

[@WV591]

Just when you think you will never need one, and you got along fine without it, some project comes along and makes you wish you had a few.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Exactly!!

[@studiohost]

Paul sellers is good for that

[@T0tenkampf]

For building guitars, I felt the Shinto was a godsend. You might try Iwasaki and compare those to your italian fines. Amazing finish and not horribly expensive. I've heard that the Dragon are rebranded Golden rasps. Stewmacs business practices are shoddy these days, which really pains me.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

I have a few curved Iwasaki rasps and they are very nice. I'm really surprised to hear that the dragon's are rebranded golden rasps. They don't look at all the same, but it's certainly possible.

[@T0tenkampf]

@@JackbenchWoodworking that was just some of the comments on Amazon so who knows. I have bought ebay stuff from china like the dremel router base just to compare to my stewmac and they were exactly the same. Not sure stewmac sells American tools much anymore but keeps charging for them. Your affiliate link here is discontinued but it does look like the same tools are being sold inder numerous other mfg. Names.

[@cambad9900]

I use the shinto rasp for koa and it gets the work done. Does better than my other rasp

[@jpwoodwork]

nice!!! very well explained, thanks charlie

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Thanks Jamie!!

[@siddhartham507]

I bought in a little more than a dollar here in India, love this tool. But it has no handle, thinking of making a wood handle for it. I am new to woodworking.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

You really got a bargain!

[@josephseewald4687]

Great review, I have some of the rasps you do and have mostly similar opinions. I bought several coarse imported Nicholsons for next to nothing but they are almost impossible to use as-is. What are your thoughts on how to reduce the 'grabbiness' of a coarse rasp to make it more usable? Every time I attempt to use them I want to get out the angle grinder are there other better ways to dull the teeth? What are your thoughts?

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

HI Joseph, I share your concerns about "grabby" rasps. That is the reason that I didn't like the Liogier rasps, way to grabby. I wish I knew how to fix that problem, but I don't. If you find a solution then please let me know! Thanks! Charlie

[@josephseewald4687]

@@JackbenchWoodworking I had a project the other day after my comment where I needed to shape a handle for push blocks. It was made of baltic birch I figured I had little to lose so I took the belt sander and took the tips off the teeth. I sanded the rasp teeth from behind, with the rotation of the sander, and removed more metal off the top of the rasp. This improved the overall function I might do it again but it was much improved.

[@williamentel5351]

It’s all about tool control. Use a lighter touch or stroke.

[@dylanneely91]

@@JackbenchWoodworking try pulling backwards over hard wood rubbed with black stropping compound. High pressure

[@plainnpretty]

I liked your video thanks for sharing

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

I'm glad it was helpful to you!

[@williamentel5351]

Hello, Charlie, I guess I should’ve ask is your opinion on Liogier just on the curved one you are showing or is your opinion on all Loigier? I’ve used both Auriou and Liogier and as far as cabinet style and modeler style rasps found really no difference in performance between them. I would agree on the one you have the curved Liogier is grabby but found that to be the case in the Auriou and others that are curved.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

I didn't mention it in my video, but I also have their luthier's mini rasp. I find that one to be a bit grabby too, but not as much as the curved one. It's good to know that their cabinet rasps are not that way. Thanks

[@friedmule5403]

Thank you very much for making this video? I do myself own two dragon rasps and I would really wish that they would make more of them. I think they are the best I own. Have you ever tried to use some of the cheap-ish metal files for finishing the wood? I had a file, that I lost, that delivered a finish, so smooth you would nearly cry. Am trying to find something like it again. :-) Can you recommend a real coarse rasp for really digging in, while still be able to move the rasp over the wood?

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Thanks! I have tried a few metal files, but the ones that I've used are generally they are too fine to bother with. I haven't tried any of the really expensive coarse rasps, but I've been very impressed with the Golden Rasps on amazon. They are a remarkable bargain amzn.to/2V48KcE

[@friedmule5403]

@@JackbenchWoodworking Thanks a lot for replying! I do, as you think it's a waste of money to spend huge amount of money on expensive rasps for the rough work. As long your rasp do remove wood and do it as you like it and you always do use other rasps for finishing afterward, no one can see if your removed marks do come from a $200 or a $10 rasp:-) I'd surely take a look at the gold rasps, are they finer or more course than the dragons? I think that I may have found "my" old file, turned out to not be a metal file: www.highlandwoodworking.com/half-roundwoodfile.aspx

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

I don't think expensive rasps are necessarily a waste of money, but I do give a higher priority to the fine rasps. The golden rasps work pretty well for rough work, definitely rougher than the dragon.

[@jameslockwood5113]

I was unable to reply to the email you sent (?). My question is this: what rasp or file is recommended for use following the coarse Golden rasps I purchased? They are fantastic at initial shaping but I need something to refine the work before I’m even close to finishing. I typically take my projects to 320, 0000 steel wool or burnishing before applying BLO, shellac, wax. Advice? This rounding and shaping is new to me.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

HI James, sorry for the slow response. I actually gave your question a lot of thought, and there are lots of good options for medium to fine rasps. Certainly, there are inexpensive rasps that work just fine but the ones I am most familiar with are a bit more expensive. Narex and Gramercy are quality tools. They are not cheap, but they are not quite as expensive as some of the other options. I hope this helps.

[@clark32900]

does this cut hickory easily? I have a lot of wood to remove.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

These are coarse rasps, not extra coarse, but they cut faster than most. They will definitely cut hickory, but if you have a LOT of wood to remove then it will take some time to get it done.

[@clark32900]

@@JackbenchWoodworking Thanks Jack

[@robinalexander5772]

Interesting! Cheers from Tasmania

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Thanks for watching!

[@MG-vo7is]

Thanks.

[@codykniffen]

I'm pretty sure my wife uses that Microplane in the kitchen for making garlic paste and fruit zests.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

LOL! It would be perfect for that!

[@hoilst]

@@JackbenchWoodworking That's literally how Microplane graters got started - some chef picked up a Stanley Surform and took it into the kitchen.

[@peter-radiantpipes2800]

Why not just grind smooth the outside edge blade on the Shinto rasp? Problem solved in a few minutes.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

That could work!

[@joegiotta7580]

You never even picked up the red-handled rasp, or talked about it. What is it?

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

I have two Nicholson rasps, a #49 and a #50. I did mention the Nicholson rasps and held up the one with the wooden handle. Sorry I didn't clarify that the red handled one is very similar to the one that I talked about.

[@velazquezarmouries]

Wood isn't hard enough that the quality of the rasp will come from the price and the steel i once cut a rasp on a piece of mild steel when out best rasp I've ever had

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Great, thanks!

[@plantslover5587]

nice sharing dear friend

[@mattreynolds8741]

I bought a set of 4 Golden Rasps because it was so cheap "$28. shipped"

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

I know, what a bargain!

[@SriramKarra]

I bough the cheap rasps from this video, and Had to return them immediately. Apart from the overall extremely cheap feel of the handle and the paint job and the whole experience, one of the rasps was not even attached well to its handle. I used it for a quick 30 second test, and the rasp came loose in the handle. Maybe the quality got worse over time, or I got a dud, but people should know that this is not the diamond in the rough. It's just another cheap trash that Amazon is full of.

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Wow, really sorry to hear that. I've been using mine for years with no problems. We'll have to keep an eye on this. Probably the best way is to check "most recent" reviews for these on Amazon.

[@happyads9439]

It's the Shinto for me👍

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Thanks, the Shinto has it's place for sure and some people just love them. Just not one of my personal favorites.

[@williamentel5351]

Your comment on Liogier was misleading . The rasp you hate is task specific. Your credibility went out the window cause model for model and style rasp Liogier is every bit as good if not better than Auriou. Problem isn’t the tool it’s the user. You can’t even pronounce the name maybe you should not use them. (LOL) you have your right to your opinion but make sure you know what that Liogier model is used for before hating it

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Hi William. No, I can't pronounce Liogier, but I stand by my statements. My dislike for that rasp has nothing to do with the task specific curved shape. What I don't like about it is the way that it cuts. It feels "grabby" to me. You have as much right to your opinion as anyone else, but we disagree on this one. All the best, Charlie Kocourek

[@jameslockwood5113]

Is this link =still active? I have a question about rasps. Please contact me

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

HI James, I checked just now and the link is still active. What questions do you have about rasps?

[@bentontool]

Great video, but you left out another great product: KUTZALL. Relatively inexpensive, cut very aggressively but 'controllably' in all directions.