Official Luthiers Forum!

I've got a nice Auriou but maybe I'll add another while I still can. They are great!

Thanks for the info, Todd.

I'd like to recommend that someone archive Todd's info like we've done with tutorials on guitar-building. Having the ability to look up high quality and reliable sources of fine tools is every bit as important to us as is the ability to look up a technique.

On an editorial note...perhaps an abitious and forward-thinking Chambor of Commerce member might induce the Ariou experts to set up shop in a more motivated and appreciative part of the world. We can only hope.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Thanks for that info Todd. I went to Woodcraft today and snagged a couple. They are great tools no doubt. Even if I don't use them, I'm guessing they are great potential eBay items..

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

I hope our local Woodcraft still has some tomorrow.

I've had the 7" modeller's rasp for about a year, and it is my first choice for almost everything. I'd like to get an 8" or 10" rasp to use for neck shaping. My #50 just doesn't "cut it" anymore, after the Auriou   

Jim

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

Record vises and now Auriou rasps, seems quality is becoming harder to find.

Todd,

great info...I just ordered a handful...

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

I quite like my Herdim (Dick Fine Tools home brand) hand-cut rasps, available from dick.biz. Don't cost a fortune either.

A friend sowed me his new Auriou rasp last fall. It's the big, long half-round one. He thought I'd immediately want one for my neck carving. Well, after I tried it, I handed it back, and looked at my nearly bleeding left hand, and said no thanks <bg> That sucker was sharp!

It may be a bit faster than my 11 year old Sandvik rasp, but not by enough to justify cutting up my hands, nor the price.

Lovely tool, but.....

[QUOTE=grumpy]Well, after I tried it, I handed it back, and looked at my nearly bleeding left hand, and said no thanks [/QUOTE]

Oh yes, they will bite!

like mattia I think the herdim ones are by far the best i have tried so far but
its probably a pain to ship the states.

Here is the link to the web page

http://www.dick.biz/cgi-bin/dick.storefront/
472634190011c20a273f50f3360905b0/ChangeLanguage/EN?alibidata =1

Joel.

Wow i cant belive i have missed these in the past i am going to buy two of
the
"swordfish cabinet and crossing types in a variety of cuts and it will still be
cheaper than a herdim.

I must admit though i am highly impressed with the herdim rasps.

I also realy like the micro plane rasps that dick sell.

The leave an increadably smooth finish and cut stays consistant becouse of
the open toothed style of construction.

Joel.joelThompson39385.4461689815

Interesting...love my rasps, so I may have to get a few more.

However, weak though the dollar is against the euro, the Herdim rasps still don't cost 90 bucks. I mean, I don't have the superfine 10,000 teeth cut 10 rasp, just a medium and a fine (cuts 4 and 5, I think...maybe 3 and 5) cabinetmaker's rasp, and they each cost around the 40 euro mark. Not bad, basically, and they leave a plenty smooth surface that cleans up easily with a scraper in just a few minutes.

The Auriou rasps are sold out at most US online stores (unless your sinister). I found a 10 in. here - http://www.dlws.com. I also found the Herdim and Chinese rasps at Howard Core - http://www.howardcore.com. Looks like their store site is down right now.

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GregH
Fot Wuth

I got this from the classic handtools news letter today i thought some of
you may be intyerested

AURIOU - IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
As you have no doubt heard, regretfully we have to announce the closure
of Auriou Toolworks in France who have been making tools for
craftspeople and artists since 1856.

Auriou were the last rasp makers in an area of France which once had
over 3000 workers making rasps and files by hand. Michel Auriou is the
keeper of secrets in free forging, heat treatment and stitching that have
been passed down the generations.

THE FUTURE - hopefully Auriou will not be lost forever but Michel Auriou
is concerned that he does not give false hope as it will not be at all easy
for him to start again. We wish him well and hope that as a small
specialised independent tool maker he can once again produce superior
quality tools that have always been made with function as the most
important criteria rather than to a price point.

Joel