Who do rasps have only one handle?

[Zach England]

I have a question about rasps. I find that when I use a rasp often time I am gripping the "business" end with my left hand while pushing with my right. However, this isn't terrible comfortable and has resulted in a few bloody left fingers. The rasps I am using are the Nicholson 49 and 50, so not an Auria but also not the bottom of the heap. Why have I never seen a two-handled rasp? Am I using it incorrectly?

[glenn bradley]

To attach a permanent handle would severely limit the versatility of the tool. I just wear a glove on that hand. These are commercially available from Lee Valley.

[Adam Cherubini]

I find that when I use a rasp often time I am gripping the "business" end with my left hand while pushing with my right. However, this isn't terrible comfortable and has resulted in a few bloody left fingers. .... Am I using it incorrectly?

No, you aren't. Smart of you to ask that question.

These tools operate best with a light touch and keeping in mind that they function a bit like hand saws. Down pressure is really not needed when the tools are sharp. Most folks pinch the far between thumb and middle knuckle.

Adam

[Jon van der Linden]

Are these "new" Nicholsons? The new ones are really bad, bad enough that Tools For Working Wood stopped carrying them because of too many returns.

I use rasps and files a lot, and have never had much of a problem, and yes, I do almost always use both hands when using them. Single handed rasping is something I almost never do. I'll second what Adam said about using a light touch. I either use a light pressure with my fingers or hold it between thumb and index finger. The pressure is very light and for guiding only. Power etc. comes from the other hand.

Using something like the 2nd handle would just get in the way and throw off the balance and control of the tool. Same issue with the glove, plus I only use my gloves while moving equipment or some specific things with metal - cross contaminating wood with grease or filings would be bad. If you really need protection, I'd use tape. You can see Karl Holtey taping up his fingers for filing his planes on his blog, but I think most of us will be hard pressed to do nearly as much rasping or filing as he does.

[Roger Benton]

another vote for a lighter touch. I usually keep the first two fingers of my left hand on the tip of the rasp just to add slight pressure and help guide it. drawing blood means too much muscle.

[Zach England]

Ok, thanks. I like the idea of the knob from lee valley. I might have to look at re-purposing one of the dozen or so old plane knobs I have rolling around in a drawer. I'll also order a nice rasp--like an auria--and see if that makes work easier. Yes, they are new Nicholson rasps--as in they have been purchased in the past two or three years.

[James Taglienti]

that lee valley part looks nice but won't it damage the teeth where you put it, even if it is brass?

[Mark Wyatt]

[QUOTE=Jon van der Linden;1460264]Are these "new" Nicholsons? The new ones are really bad, bad enough that Tools For Working Wood stopped carrying them because of too many returns."

Any suggestion on decent new "affordable" rasps? Let's define affordable as under $60.

[glenn bradley]

I had to return two #50's to get a decent one. Folks have spoken highly of Dragon rasps (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Files/Dragon_Hand-cut_Rasps/Dragon_Large_Hand-cut_Rasp.html) and I wish I would have tried that. The #50 I have (finally) is fine but the wasted time and effort made it quite expensive.

[Rick Markham]

[QUOTE=Jon van der Linden;1460264]Are these "new" Nicholsons? The new ones are really bad, bad enough that Tools For Working Wood stopped carrying them because of too many returns."

Any suggestion on decent new "affordable" rasps? Let's define affordable as under $60.

I have a Gramercy Saw Handle Maker's rasp, that was reasonable in price, and really is super super sharp!!! I will definitely be ordering some other Gramercy rasps. The thing was sharp enough when using it on Wenge, I had no problems using it one handed. Cut like the wenge was butter :cool:

[mike holden]

To get back to the original question, there is only one handle so you can use the tip of the rasp to get into corners.
Mike

[Jon van der Linden]

To get back to the original question, there is only one handle so you can use the tip of the rasp to get into corners.
Mike

You can run into the same problem when working on curved pieces where the curve is relatively flat or even concave - yes, there are special rasps for that. A second handle would make that kind of work impossible. In some cases even one handle is too much to get the rasp or file to work. I wouldn't recommend using a rasp or file without a handle though, since it's well known that you can impale your hand on the tang.

[John Coloccia]

I had to return two #50's to get a decent one. Folks have spoken highly of Dragon rasps (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Files/Dragon_Hand-cut_Rasps/Dragon_Large_Hand-cut_Rasp.html) and I wish I would have tried that. The #50 I have (finally) is fine but the wasted time and effort made it quite expensive.

I have a couple of Dragon rasps. They are fantastic, BUT they're an odd shape for furniture/cabinet making. They're incredible for shaping. I use them for shaping guitar necks. That's what they were designed for, I believe, and they work very well for that.

My other favorites are the Iwasaki...uhm...I'm not even sure what you're call them. Files? Floats? They're amazing but you need to develop a deft touch to get maximum performance. Not difficult at all but if you dial in your touch just right, you'll be rewarded with performance that I really can't compare to anything else I've used. It was quite a unique experience for me, and I own quite a few of them now.

I'm with everyone else who says that the new Nicholson rasps are just a waste of money. There files are still working for me, though :)

re: original question
If you need a second handle, you're pushing way too hard in my opinion. With a quality, sharp rasp, just the weight of the rasp is practically enough to cut aggressively, and the second hand is really only needed for light guidance. I've been known to rasp for hours on end with no problems at all, but with a very light touch. Sometimes I don't even grip it. I just lightly lay my hand on it, or maybe a couple of fingers, to guide it through the stroke.

[john brenton]

I haven't felt the need to do it with my woodworking rasps/files, but when I was a plumber I often kept a bastard file in my back pocket. I cut the tang off on the chop saw, smoothed the edges, and smoothed off the teeth on the end.

I don't see why you couldn't do that. You wouldn't even need an abrasive wheel to take the teeth off the end.

[Jon van der Linden]

Good tip on removing the tang. I have to admit that I just use my fingertips to hold it and I have a light touch, so it's not a problem for me. Still I wouldn't recommend using it without a handle to others since it's highly user dependent safety wise. Your tip does remove the danger, but good files and rasps are kinda pricey to do that unless it's for a dedicated purpose.

[David Cefai]

You could use some masking tape around the tip of the rasp until you get used to using it as others have described. Trust me, you will.

[John Coloccia]

Good tip on removing the tang. I have to admit that I just use my fingertips to hold it and I have a light touch, so it's not a problem for me. Still I wouldn't recommend using it without a handle to others since it's highly user dependent safety wise. Your tip does remove the danger, but good files and rasps are kinda pricey to do that unless it's for a dedicated purpose.

Most of my larger rasps have handles on them but I don't ever actually use the handle. It's just there to keep me from stabbing myself and as a convenient place to hang it from on the peg board. I'm definately a fingertip/light touch guy as well.

[Jon van der Linden]

You could use some masking tape around the tip of the rasp until you get used to using it as others have described. Trust me, you will.

Personally I would never tape a rasp or file, you risk gunking up the teeth in a semi permanent way. If you need tape, that's what fingers are for.

You can see Karl Holtey using tape this way on his blog in post #41 here: http://www.holteyplanes.com/blog/
Although he isn't using a file in this photo, there are older posts that show him taping his fingers for filing operations.

[Prashun Patel]

I use the Dragon rasps also. There are times when I use them one handed, times when I use them two handed. Roughing up yr fingertips is just par for the course. The only time I use 2 hands is when I'm really trying to finesse something; in these cases yr not pushing hard, so it's not painful.

If you need force, you should be concentrating on getting a good handle that lets you get some force and leverage behind the tool - not on the nose.