Auriou Cabinet Makers Rasps - Right handed models fitted with Walnut handles (the rasps are used in a natural skew action - like a hand plane, so handing the teeth makes it more comfortable and less tiring to use - left handed rasps available on request).
As a general rule the rasp length (excluding handle) should be 3-4 times longer than the width of the work you are working on. So for a chunky section (e.g. shaping the top of a table leg, or initial shaping of a decoy duck or gun stock) don't be afraid to go long i.e. 12" and chose an aggressive cut (4 or 6). Cabinet rasps are wide in proportion to their length so they have a lot of cutting power. For more slender sections drop down to a 10" or 9" rasp and for fine detailing work (claw feet, saw handles etc.) opt for the slimmer and finer modelers rasps. Auriou rasps will not rip your work to shreds, they are precision shaping tools guided by you to create the shape you want. They cut beautifully and you will learn to love using them for a multitude of tasks.
Auriou Cabinet Rasp 9in. Grain 10 - Flat and convex sides tapered to a point with Max width of 1-1/8 in and Max thickness of 1/4 in. - Very popular all around cabinet rasp and recommended for a first choice by Michel Auriou no less .
A final word on care and cleaning: Don't use a wire brush, use a natural fiber brush. Camellia oil or WD40, keep separate from other tools to prevent damage to the teeth.
We are often get which Auriou rasps are equivalent to the Nicholson 49 & 50 rasps. The closest matches are:
- Nicholson 49 ---------- Auriou 10in. Cabinet Rasp Grain 7
- Nicholson 50 ---------- Auriou 10in. Cabinet Rasp Grain 9
Auriou rasps are made by hand at the Forge de Saint Juéry in Saint Juery a small town close to the beautiful city of Albi 80 miles north east of Toulouse in Southwest France. Saint Juery once housed over 3000 rasp and file makers, now there is just the Auriou Toolworks at Forge de Saint Juery. The factory has a small team of highly skilled toolmakers recognized for making the finest hand stitched rasps in the world. They are experts in true free forging of tools (as opposed to drop forging) and also make stone carving and masons tools, carving adzes, drawknives, plaster and gilding tools.
