Japanese files/rasps

[eddillon]

A few months ago there was a post about some Japanese made files/rasps.  Forgot the name not Kawasaki but something like that.  Anyone else out there remember?

[Bill-52]

Ed,

Are you referring to Iwasaki files?  I bought a couple several months ago based on reading about them here (I think).  Available at Woodcraft (www.woodcraft.com).  They aren't cheap but very good -- they cut quickly but leave a smooth finish.

Bill

[eddillon]

Bingo!  Thanks, Bill.
Ed

[Ed Wenger]

Excellent rasps.  They look like a file.  There's also a cut file / rasp that looks like a bunch of hack saw blades criss crossed together.  One side is course, the other side is finer.  I still use cabinet makers rasps, but not nearly as much since I got these Japanese rasps.


         Ed

[Acer Saccharum]

Rasps, sold by Lee Valley, sez they are hand cut, reasonably priced (ie: cheap).

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=20133&cat=1,42524

[Hungry Horse]

 While visiting some relatives in San Francisco, we wondered into Japan Town, and discovered a Japanese hardware store. Oh boy, these guys are way into wood working. There was every kind of skew, chisel, gouge, and scraper, known to man. Most of it is pretty pricy, but the quality seemed very good. This is not junk import stuff, this is what the real artists of their culture use. They also had more different kinds of sharpening stones than I could imagine. I would have never thought of this as a source of quality woodworking tools. 

                             Hungry Horse

[eddillon]

Hi Hungry Horse,
Do you know the name and location of the store?  I am 35 miles from San Francisco.
Ed

[Acer Saccharum]

Soko Hardware

http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/900373/san_francisco_ca/soko_hardware.html

Take pictures! Post 'em here!

[smallpatch]

I get a Traditional Japanese Woodworking catalog every month.

These are amazing chisels, gouges, etc.  Made with blue and white steel.  Made traditionally layered with harder/softer layers.  Hold a razor edge.

I guess traditional sword making, tool making techniques for hundreds of years makes the difference??

Be prepared to pay top dollar though.  They are very proud of their work.

[Chris Treichel]

The Japanese are very proud of their tools. Some traditional fellows even consider their tools be they chisels, cooking knives or sword to have kami (a spirit). Craftsmen will show respect (rei-bow) to their tools before they start to use them... Many smith's forges/shops/homes will frequently have a shrine in them and they follow ceremonies for cleaning their shops before and after use. Some very serious fellows.

[Hungry Horse]

Ed;

 Acer is way ahead of me. Soko Hardware is the spot. Be sure to break the piggy bank before you go there. It has two floors, and has more stuff in it than you can imagine. Oh, and if you take the wife, with you it will cost you at least double. Ask me how I know.

                     Hungry Horse

[eddillon]

I've got some money just burning a hole in my pocket.  Will try to take and post photos when I go.