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All
About Rasps and Rifflers in Woodworking For more information on the history and design of rasps, click here. A rasp
is a piece of steel with little teeth cut in all over the surface of
the tool. Rasps superficially resemble files, which have long teeth
running the width of the file. Files We use the word "rasp" to denote the entire family of the tool when we're talking generally about the use of the tool. When the particular details matter, we say "rasps" to mean a rasp with a handle at one end. We use the term "riffler rasp" or "riffler" to describe a type of rasp with teeth cut in both ends, with an area to hold onto in the middle. Rifflers can be either "file cut," with long lines of teeth, or "rasp cut," with pointy teeth. "Riffler rasp" might be the better term to use. Chances are if you were to go into a general tool store and ask for a "riffler," they would sell you a riffler file. |
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Most rasps made these days are machine made. Consequently the teeth are in regular rows, one behind the other. What this means is that the rasp will cut little troughs and not leave a smooth surface. The solution to this problem is to slightly vary the tooth position so each row of teeth cuts a slightly different path. This leaves a smooth surface. Rasps made in this fashion are known as Patternmaker's rasps. The only rasps of this sort currently made by machine are the American made #49 and #50 Nicholson rasps that we stock. Auriou in France still makes a huge variety of rasps by hand, using the same techniques and attention to detail that they have for amost 170 years. For more information on the manufacturing process click here.. Roughness
The cost of a rasp is related to the number of teeth it has. See the photograph on the left (actual size) to see what all the grains look like. What is important to note is that the finer rasps have a greater density of smaller teeth, not fewer larger teeth. Lower quality hand-made rasps will have uneven teeth, which will cut slower and leave scratches. The teeth on the Auriou rasps are handed so that you can work more comfortably. See below for more information. |
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Shape Auriou rasp come in many different shapes: flat, round, curved, straight, etc. The most popular rasps are the cabinetmaker's rasps. Some important features are shared by all the styles of rasp. The flat side of a machine-made rasp is always flat, but the flat side of a hand-made rasp is always slightly convex, which makes it far easier to rasp a flat surface. Rat tail rasps are slightly bellied for the same reason. French Cabinetmaker's rasps come to a point. Machine made rasps have the point cut off. On Auriou rasps, the teeth go out to the edge of the rasp. This feature allows you to cut into a sharp corner. On Nicholson rasps the teeth are a little inset from the edge, which means you cannot work a clean inside corner. |
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Riffler Rasps There
are 8 traditional styles of riffler rasps (1-8 starting from the top
of the picture). The choice of what shape is at each end comes from
a long tradition of patternmakers who, working Auriou riffler rasps have a smooth octagonal center section that is easy to hold in position and more comfortable than a square. The shapes are also extremely graceful and visually appealing. The rifflers have gentle curves; they're not just bent in the middle. The oval shapes are true ovals, not just flats that have been rounded off. All of this adds to a rasp that performs solidly and cuts predictably throughout the entire stroke. |
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Usage |
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| All rasps must be handled for use. There are two important reasons for this: first, if the rasp does not have a handle, you will tend to grasp it on the lower part of the teeth. This is not only a great way to cut yourself, it wastes half the stroke of the file and makes every cut take twice as long. The second reason is safety. If the rasp were to catch while you were filing, the tang could punch its way though your hand. So please use a handle. All of our Auriou rasps come with handles already installed. All our Nicholson rasps are available with top quality Scroozeon handles which can be reused for years on different files. | |
| The teeth on Nicholson rasps are perpendicular to the handle. The teeth on Auriou rasps are slightly angled to favor right-handed users. If you are left-handed, please contact us as we can order you left-handed rasp (although we do keep some in stock). The reason has to do with the proper use of a rasp. | |
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| A rasp should be grasped by the handle in one hand. This is where the power behind the rasp comes from. The other hand should grasp the tip of the rasp in thumb and forefinger, to balance the pressure on the stroke and to give control. The teeth should be perpendicular to the direction of the stoke. This means that with a Nicholson rasp, you hold the rasp square to the work. Auriou rasps are handed, so you hold them at an angle to the work but push them perpendicularly to the work. See the diagram below for clarification. The reason for this is that it is more natural and easier to hold the rasp at an angle to your body, which lets you stand closer to the work, giving you more leverage. The exact angle varies but you will find your own sweet spot fairly quickly. | |
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| Use the rasp in a long and smooth forward stroke. It will cut very fast. At the end of the stroke, lift the rasp off the work and retract it for the next stroke. The rasp only cuts on the forward stroke. Do not pull back with the rasp against the work, as you will in time dull the rasp prematurely. | |
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Storage and Cleaning When you
are done with a rasp, use a brush to clean and unclog the teeth. Don't
use a file card |
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| We use the term "French Rasp" and Auriou almost interchangeably. This is because Auriou is the last full range French rasp company still making rasps in the old tradition. For more information on the history and design of rasps, click here. | |
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To see
our entire range of Auriou rasps click here |
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are
very useful and popular tools, but their woodworking use is mostly restricted
to sharpening woodworking tools. They're basically used for metalwork,
whereas rasps are used on wood and stone. (Occasionally you encounter
a woodworking "file," - just to make it interesting - but
typically that tool has teeth like those on a rasp.)
quickly
wanted a complementary shape on each end of the riffler. It is far faster
to flip a tool around than it is to put down and then pick up two different
tools. The eight styles of riffler are all available in different lengths
proportional to the coarseness of the grain. In addition, the length
of the blade (the cutting surface) is proportional to the overall length
of the rasp. You should select the rasp based on the size of the work
you are doing. All the Auriou rasps leave a smooth surface, so the marginal
improvement of a finer grain isn't as important as the extra speed you
get with a coarser grain and longer blade. 
made
of wire (steel or brass), that will dull the rasp in time. Michel Auriou
strongly cautions against this and suggests a short (3/8" long) stiff
natural bristle brush. He also suggests that after cleansing, a light
coat of camellia oil should be applied to protect the rasp from rust.
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