Buying Guides
ByIzzy Berger
Guide updated on 18th April 2019 to recommend the Narex Rasp.
Guide updated on 14th May 2019 to recommend the Shinto Rasp.
Guide updated on 14th October 2019 to remove the recommendation for a four-in-hand farrier’s rasp as this is not hardened.
A hand stitched rasp makes for a more effective cut and finish compared with the machine made ones, as it has irregularly placed teeth. This also makes them much more expensive and less of an entry-level tool for beginners. (They usually cost over £100.)
For a beginner, Paul would recommend the Shinto rasp from Amazon UK. We purchased this for £18.38 in October 2019. In our latest price check the price was £20.15.*
If you wanted one with a round, Paul recommends the Narex 8” Half Round rasp. We purchased this for £21.97 from Amazon UK in April 2019. In our latest price check the price was £27.99.*
Paul has tested both of these out and is happy with the performance. However, the Shinto rasp would be his first recommendation.
Note: We purchased this similar looking rasp which was not to the same standard and Paul would not recommend buying.
For a less expensive option, Paul recommends gluing a sheet of abrasive paper on a scrap piece of stock. The piece of wood should be about 10”-12” long, 1 ½” wide and ⅜” thick. One for more aggressive stock removal should have 60-80 grit, a medium level is 150-grit and a fine level 250-grit.
Paul talks more about his choice in buying rasps in this blog post here
*Prices checked March 2024
Relevant Guides
Setting Up Rasps and Files
A rasp and file cannot generally be sharpened and do not need setting up. However, you can prolong their life by taking good care of them. Most of the time the sawdust which builds up in between the teeth will be pushed out by new wood fibres. You can also clear out the gullets by…
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Using a Rasp and File
The file and rasp are used in a similar way to each other for different tasks, which can lead to confusion. Whereas the file is used on both wood and metal, rasps are used mainly on wood and stone, but never on metal. The file is used to shape, refine and to smooth out surfaces….
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Buying a Rasp
Guide updated on 18th April 2019 to recommend the Narex Rasp. Guide updated on 14th May 2019 to recommend the Shinto Rasp. Guide updated on 14th October 2019 to remove the recommendation for a four-in-hand farrier’s rasp as this is not hardened. A hand stitched rasp makes for a more effective cut and finish compared…
Read More
The Rasp Guide
A rasp is similar looking to a file in terms of shape. However, their working faces are significantly different. Rasps have individually raised teeth, referred to as stitches, evenly dotted over the entire surface of the working face, and are used for shaping wood. Stitching can be made by machine or by hand. However, it…
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Further Reading
To read more on this we recommend the following from Paul’s blog:
