Nicholson patternmakers rasps

[flint kemper]

Does anyone use these in crafting self bows? I have a farriers rasp but know that Mr Torges used the Nicholsons. If you were to buy one which would it be the 49 or 50? Thanks

[Mad Max]

I got both of them

Doesn't matter

[rainman]

If I was only getting one I would get the 49.  I have both.

[John Scifres]

I use them both on every bow.  There is a difference in how fine they leave the wood surface.  Get the #50 to start.  The difference between a farrier's rasp will startle you.  They last a long time too.  I bet I made 100 bows with my first pair.  Probably closing in on 100 with this second pair now.  They are well worth the price but treat them well.  I keep mine in cardboard scabbards hanging on pegs over my bench.

[Buggs]

I use the #1, #2 half round cabinet rasps. They don't hog wood off like the pattern rasps.

[Pat B]

I use a #49 along with a farriers rasp and others for different applications.

[rainman]

You can get these resharpened also, instead of replacing dull ones.

[rainman]

I would also look at the Grobet rasp.  About half the price.  New Nicholson rasp are made in Brazil.

[Pat B]

Try to find US made Nicholson #49 or #50. Better quality than imported varieties from what I've heard.
 My first rasp when I started making bows was a 4 way rasp with flat/round, course/smooth sides. Not the best quality but got me through lots of bows early on. 

[Buggs]

You can get these resharpened also, instead of replacing dull ones.

Thats hard to picture. I've never heard of rasp or file resharpening. Who does it and how do they do that?

I just went and answered my own question. Who ever figured out that process should be in the Rasp Hall of Fame.
And the cost is nothing for the service! It would cost 2-3 times as much to ship back and forth!

[Roy from Pa]

https://boggstool.com/

https://boggstool.com/file-%26-rasp-services

[rainman]

Boggstool.com

[onetone]

Boggs - Buggs hmmm.

I recall the blacksmith I apprenticed with talking about soaking rasps and files in a strong solution of sodium hydroxide (lye) which re-established the cutting edges of the teeth. I have quite a collection of files/rasps acquired over the years and I am usually disappointed when I buy a new file. The general quality seems to have dropped off. Maybe I will try other brands. In the pic the new file/rasp is in the middle of two old-timers and it doesn’t cut as well as the oldies! All the same brand.

[Roy from Pa]

Last 2 I got are Heller Brand Rasps. I really like them.

[Buggs]

Boggs - Buggs hmmm.

Nobody wants Buggs Tools. Well maybe a carrot peeler

I imagine the old tools were made with less fussy alloyed steel and hand cut. A lot of old tools are more robust than the modern steel, machine cut ones

[kennym]

I’m not sure where I heard of this , but I soaked some nock files in vinegar (with the mother,whatever that is) and they were really better than I remembered them being new.

It said for a few hours and I forgot them for like 4 days 

YMMV

[Roy from Pa]

It said for a few hours and I forgot them for like 4 days

LOL

[Buggs]

I’m not sure where I heard of this , but I soaked some nock files in vinegar (with the mother,whatever that is) and they were really better than I remembered them being new.

It said for a few hours and I forgot them for like 4 days 

YMMV

Anybody can make their own vinegar if they have the "mother"  Its like sourdough starter, the stuff is alive and kicking if you feed it.

[Honest Jon]

Renewing a rasp with vinegar. Kind of a guess here but we’re talking acetic acid here with vinegar. I imagine the acid microscopically cleans up the cutting edges, leaving the rasp a little sharper. Just my take on this.

[kennym]

Renewing a rasp with vinegar. Kind of a guess here but we’re talking acetic acid here with vinegar. I imagine the acid microscopically cleans up the cutting edges, leaving the rasp a little sharper. Just my take on this.

I think that's right.