Need help finding a good four-way rasp!

[Apex Predator]

My old rasps have about had it after 7 fiberglass, and more wood bows.  Theses two that I have been using have held up well, and are probably 30-40 years old.  They are both St Crispens.  Here is a photo.





I have bought two made by Nicholson, and they are crap!  Wouldn't hold up to fiberglass.  I use these a bunch shaping risers and trapping glass limbs.  Anyone know anything about these, or some of similar quality?  Thanks.

[david_lewis93]

Have you checked with the local machine shop? If anyone should know it would be them.

[Apex Predator]

Good idea, but I didn't think they would know about wood rasps.  Maybe I should be shopping for a metal rasp?  Maybe I'll call them.  Thanks.

[tim-flood]

Dean has some rasp that takes metal and wood on and they sell it at 3-Rivers or Deans site I think

[PV]

Glass takes the bite out of the 4 ways in a hurry don't it? Haven't found one that stands up to glass. I use my sanders for trapping and shaping glass now. A sanding block with 36 grit makes short work of glass removal if you don't want to use power.

[saltwatertom]

Hey Apex;
One of the hats I wear is farrier.  The rasps we use in the horse shoeing biz are really good. Check with your local farrier and ask him where he gets his rasps. I prefer "Save Edge" brand. They seem to last the best and are VERY sharp. I bet you will like them. There are also differnt kinds, like long ones for draft horses, really fine ones for finish work. They have two sides , fine on one side and coarse on the other and, the edges have teeth too.
I hope this helps.
Tom

[Apex Predator]

Thanks folks!

[Paul WA]

My Nicholson #49 and #50 are anything but crap...PR

[Soilarch]

I'd second trying the "Save Edge" brand.

Have no experience being farrier, but I spend a good deal of time on a chainsaw each year.  Files are certainly NOT created equal and Save Edge has a strong reputation with professional loggers/tree-surgeons.  I haven't personally used them because I get good stuff out of the Pferd files the local shop keeps.

Go to Save Edge website.  Not sure what kind of condition they have to be in but they'll resharpen files (including rasps) for what looks like a reasonable price.