Author Topic: Razor files (Read 4713 times)

577SXS · « **on:** July 19, 2020, 11:18:45 PM »

Somewhere I saw these on youtube and decided to try them. I bought the small set for $74, one flat and one half round. I have tried everything to hog wood off of a stock and up to this point the best was the Japanese saw rasp. I bought a bunch of different files and most were junk. Well these Razor files are amazing. Never had anything take wood off so fast and they leave a very smooth finish. The finish is about like a planed surface. I ordered the larger Razor file set this afternoon for $122. They are worth every penny!!! I got mine from Stewmac.

EC121 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2020, 11:58:12 PM »

They look similar to the Iwasaki files I bought. They are so sharp I have to use a glove on my front hand or get cut. I can draw file wood with them. Shaves off little curls as it cuts.

moleeyes36 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2020, 02:15:37 AM »

I don’t know about the razor files, but they sound interesting. However, I can’t say enough about good about Iwasaki rasps. I have a number of them.

Don Richards

Daryl · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2020, 02:50:11 AM »

Interesting, "Googled" Them.

elkhorne · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2020, 03:50:53 AM »

Does anyone have a website to access these new style files? Thanks in advance.
ellhorne

EC121 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2020, 05:14:53 AM »

Quote from: elkhorne on July 20, 2020, 03:50:53 AM

Does anyone have a website to access these new style files? Thanks in advance.
ellhorne

Google "Iwasaki files" or "razor files".

LuVerne Schumann · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2020, 05:18:54 AM »

I'm currently in the market for some Iwasaki rasps.

I was thinking I could get away with just a saw rasp and a fine flat and fine half round.

What do the experienced users think?

Not English · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2020, 06:29:58 AM »

I've been a huge fan of Nicholson #49 pattern makers rasps, how do they compare? I've found that the Nicholsons are only good for a couple of hard maple stocks at best. Are they sharper? If there's a difference in sharpness, Do you think it's worth it?

Dave

LuVerne Schumann · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2020, 08:01:02 AM »

Quote from: Not English on July 20, 2020, 06:29:58 AM

I've been a huge fan of Nicholson #49 pattern makers rasps, how do they compare? I've found that the Nicholsons are only good for a couple of hard maple stocks at best. Are they sharper? If there's a difference in sharpness, Do you think it's worth it?

Dave

My motivation for going with Iwasaka is that they are purported to remove material faster and leave a smoother surface.

Combine that with Nicholson's reputation going into the toilet with their recent production, it seems a no brainer to me.

But I need to validate that personally.

Jerry V Lape · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2020, 08:37:44 AM »

I have both Nickolson 49 & 50 and a set of 4 Iwasaki files. I don't use the 49 or 50 as the Iwasakis cut smoother and faster. Also don't try to apply a lot of pressure to the Iwasaki rasps as they seem to function better with minimal force. If you do apply pressure wearing a glove is recommended.

577SXS · « **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2020, 01:52:12 PM »

https://www.stewmac.com/SiteSearch/?search=razor%20files

577SXS · « **Reply #11 on:** July 20, 2020, 01:54:53 PM »

https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/iwasaki-carving-files.aspx

These files do look very similar. I really like that they offer a curved one that cuts on pull stroke. Guess I'm going to have to try one of those also.

Robin Henderson · « **Reply #12 on:** July 20, 2020, 04:52:37 PM »

I bought my Iwasaki rasps at Woodcraft.

https://www.woodcraft.com/categories/files-rasps

smallpatch · « **Reply #13 on:** July 20, 2020, 05:48:19 PM »

Just a note.... use at least one step finer than what you think you need. These things are AGRESSIVE,
A glove on the off hand is a good idea as well. They remove skin just as easy as wood.
I don’t use anything else anymore.

577SXS · « **Reply #14 on:** July 20, 2020, 07:44:11 PM »

Yes they are very aggressive which is what I was amazed about. I bought the fine cut and they remove a lot of wood fast. The wood will take very little sanding after using these files. I will probably never use another Nicholson bastard file again. I tried the Razor file on brass and it cut it mighty quick. Not sure I want to wear out these on brass but as fast as they cut I might buy a set just for brass. Wish I could find riffler files made this way!

ScottH · « **Reply #15 on:** July 20, 2020, 08:07:56 PM »

These maybe of interest for someone looking for a wood rasp....

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of-tools/files/dragon-hand-cut-rasp.html

rmnc3r · « **Reply #16 on:** July 21, 2020, 12:14:21 AM »

I have a USA Nicholson #50 that I just Vinegar Soaked and it seems to have sharpened the teeth nicely - but I am always interested in 'something better'

Anyone have a Razor File, an Iwasaki File and a Nicholson Magicut and do head to head comparison on wood and metal?

https://www.amazon.com/NICHOLSON-07917N-Home-Tools-Files/dp/B00HDSGHRW

TommyG · « **Reply #17 on:** July 21, 2020, 02:31:22 AM »

Quote

These files do look very similar. I really like that they offer a curved one that cuts on pull stroke. Guess I'm going to have to try one of those also.

I have one of those, 6" half round curved, cuts on the pull stroke. Very helpful for shaping the front sides of the comb transitioning into the wrist. Like all my other Iwasaki's, it cuts effortlessly and leaves a great finish.

sdilts · « **Reply #18 on:** July 21, 2020, 03:10:07 AM »

I have a Nicholson Magicut and that's all I use for removing a lot of metal in a hurry. Never used it on wood. That's reserved for my Iwasakis and Liogier rasp. The heavy work is done with the Liogier and finish it with the Iwasaki. I use the 6" flat Iwasaki more than anything else.

Bill Raby · « **Reply #19 on:** July 21, 2020, 04:12:54 AM »

I just got one Liogier rasp and it is amazing. Much better than any other rasp that I have used. Problem is that now I will need to get a full set of them and those things are very expensive.

smallpatch · « **Reply #20 on:** July 21, 2020, 04:22:15 AM »

I believe the Razoe cut and Iwasaki are the same file. I have a Nicholson magicut, and it’s just OK. Definitely not an Iwasaki.

davec2 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 21, 2020, 05:11:13 AM »

Haven't tried a razor file. Do have some good rasps but most often use these "fender" or "body" files. Also called "curved tooth files". They will cut most metals and the large teeth don't load up with soft metals like lead, babbit, aluminum, copper, etc. They work great on hardwood but if they are not sharp, they will skate over the surface. Mine were old and not too sharp but I sent them to Boggs Tool and had them sharpened. They work great now. The shavings come off in curls like having several parallel plane blades working at once.......I have some made by Nicholson, Vixen, Grobet. I don't remember where I got mine but looked up a few places.....here you go......

https://www.tinmantech.com/products/hand-tools/files-holders/super-shear-files/

https://atmsupplyco.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=2676

https://www.grainger.com/product/CRESCENT-NICHOLSON-Flat-Babbitt-File-1G520

https://www.ebay.com/itm/TSUBOSAN-Curved-Tooth-Files-6-14-Bastard-Cut-Hand-Type-240-made-in-japan/253661231666?hash=item3b0f633a32:m:m2uw0AjPNAa_DDcH3lPCGYg

http://www.warrensvillefile.com/index.php/american-pattern/milled-curved-tooth.html

This last outfit looks good. They also make these with a handle like a plane and a replaceable file blade. I always wanted one of those....you could really bear down with that arrangement.

Not English · « **Reply #22 on:** July 21, 2020, 07:14:16 PM »

Davec2, thanks for digging up the links. I have to admit that the last link looked really interesting. They do indeed work well on soft metals. We used them when I worked for an engineering outfit building aluminum boats in the '70s. My dad had some and always called them body files, probably from the use of lead on old cars.

rmnc3r · « **Reply #23 on:** July 21, 2020, 08:02:49 PM »

DC2's suggestions look like Planemaker's Floats

https://www.lie-nielsen.com/nodes/4098/planemakers-floats

I picked up some of the curved tooth Auto Body Files when Flea Marketing years ago before I knew what they were because the looked like Planemaker's Floats. They were dull and as DC2 noted, just skated over the work. Now that I know about soaking in Vinegar, I'll have to look for them in my Garage and try it out.

Bob Roller · « **Reply #24 on:** July 21, 2020, 09:24:27 PM »

Quote from: rmnc3r on July 21, 2020, 08:02:49 PM

DC2's suggestions look like Planemaker's Floats

https://www.lie-nielsen.com/nodes/4098/planemakers-floats

I picked up some of the curved tooth Auto Body Files when Flea Marketing years ago before I knew what they were because the looked like Planemaker's Floats. They were dull and as DC2 noted, just skated over the work. Now that I know about soaking in Vinegar, I'll have to look for them in my Garage and try it out.

I have a couple of those curved Vixen floats and they are SHARP
but have yet to use them on wood.
Bob Roller

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Author Topic: Razor files (Read 4713 times)

LuVerne Schumann

LuVerne Schumann