Nicholson USA #10 rasps

[joe bonomo]

Hey folks, I'm new here. I've been woodworking with the Brazil 49 & 50 rasps since they are available. They are okay. After a lot of searching, I acquired several USA rasps from an estate sale for $60. The old ones carve through the grain nicely, the Brazil rasps tear it. The difference is truly night and day.

There is a mint USA 49 and 50 in there (the 50 seems much older). There is also two USA #10s. I was wondering if anyone knew where 10 stands in comparison to the others? They cut smoother than a 49, but somehow remove material quicker. There are no teeth on the edges.

On the right is a USA "smooth" rasp which I thought might be the 53, but no number is on the tang to indicate this. And the two on the far left are much coarser rasps, again no # on tangs.

Any info on these would be greatly appreciated.

[Jim Koepke]

Joe,

Welcome to the Creek. I can not answer your question, but I can say that's a great find and the obligatory YOU SUCK! (BTW that's a good thing.)

Where do you call home? I am always curious to learn where other members live.

jtk

[Kent A Bathurst]

Welcome, Joe.

Jim is right - you suck. [see below for the official version]

I have a USA 49, and one of the hit-the-lottery good 50's out of Brazil.

I never heard of a #10. Happy to buy your extra - you cannot use 2, dude. Share the wealth, dig?




You Suck - Bill Murray.jpg

[joe bonomo]

Love the welcoming! I'm over in Long Island, NY.
I'm a guitar repair tech also finishing up some handmade instruments. I have a tool fetish hahah I'm not a collector tho, I use them.

im interested in acquiring the Aurio 7 and 9 cut rasps, and the herdim (10,000 teeth ultra) flat rasp in the coming months. When I do, I'll certainly consider letting a #10 go.

[Kent A Bathurst]

You'll love the auriou rasps..............I have 7, 9, 11........

[joe bonomo]

Is the 11 equivalent to the 53? I'm super excited now hearing that.

[Tom Bussey]

On european rasps the higher the number the finer the cut. Check out one aurious numbering system. Maybe your 10s are from overseas.

Tom

[Kent A Bathurst]

Is the 11 equivalent to the 53? I'm super excited now hearing that.

I have no idea what a 53 acts like. TO be honest, I have only used the 7 and 9. The 9 leaves the wood in very good, smooth shape. You will find that these somehow do a faster and smoother job of cutting - both at the same time - even when the grain seems to be coarser. Simply a better product. I got the curved 11 here when it was available for an excellent deal - not used yet.

If you use the search function, somewhere in the past - I will guess 18 months? maybe more? You will find a thread started by John Coloccia, in which he compared different rasps. I seem to recall that there was one or two aurious, and a nicholson, and maybe some other brand also.

John does guitars, and I remember his comment about he only needed sandpaper when he had use the Auriou rasp. What I don't remember is which grain that was - wanna say the 9, but can't say for sure.

Maybe you can find it in the search, or maybe John will pop up here - haven't seen him in a while?????

Or - send him a PM - he's accessible to inquiries, as are all the rest of us. His info is accurate and valuable. Cannot say the same about Harold, tho - watch out there.

[joe bonomo]

I'm going to check that thread out. Sounds like a good reference.

@ tom - my 10s are engraved USA on them.

[Derek Cohen]

I use Aurious 9, 13, 15. The 9 is quite coarse.

I can also recommend Shinto saw rasps, which are coarse and fine on alternate sides.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Peter Evans]

The # 10 is a Last Makers Rasp - 10" Narrow Point Smooth. These are the same as Pattern Makers Rasps - except for the uncut edges (as you observed). In the glory days Nicholson had a total of 16 Last makers Rasps, 14 Last Makers files, and 20 Pattern Makers Rasps. The # 53 is a 12" Smooth Wide Point. The Smooth Rasp on the right is a Cabinet Rasp, pretty aggressive. The #49 is a 2nd cut 10" narrow point and coarser than a #10, the #50 should cut like a #10.

Good score.

[joe bonomo]

Great info. I appreciate it.

I wouldn't mind trading a #10 for a mint condition Nicholson #53 if the opportunity ever arises.

[Kent A Bathurst]

I use Aurious 9, 13, 15. The 9 is quite coarse.

It is all relative. The 9 is coarse compared to the others you list from Auriou. Not so in comparison to the Nicholson's the OP is talking about. Big difference.

[joe bonomo]

So I'll probably go with an auriou 7,9 and 13 soon (All relative to 49,50 and 53)

I appreciate the info from everyone great stuff!

[Kent A Bathurst]

Cool.

Tell us what you think as you use and compare them. ALways looking for input, Joe.