9 Shinto Saw Rasp by Shinto

Ok, this is a pretty cool idea. I build primitive wooden bows and have years of experience working wood with a variety of hand tools. Once I lay down the carpenter's ax, it's all about the rasp for me in bow building. I typically use a farrier's rasp, then a fine Nicholson #49. Sometimes I follow that with a small 4-in-hand before I move onto scrapers. I bought this rasp along with a Stanley Surform to provide a breadth of experience in the use of various tools in a bowmaking class that I am teaching.My impression after my first few uses of the Shinto Rasp are very favorable. It looks and feels very well made. It is light in the hand and removes wood very well without tearing out the grain or gouging the wood. It's aggressive, but smooth and easy to handle. It was instructive to watch the first-timers handle the different rasps. First the farrier's rasp, then the Surform, then the Shinto. The Shinto got all the Ooohs and Aaahs.The farrier's rasp ($20) is effective for roughing off lots of wood, but it's long, heavy, harder to handle, and more likely to tear out wood. The Surform ($11) seems very cheaply made, like the cheese grater it resembles, and it snags and tears at the wood. It may work for rough shaping if you use a vise and both hands. One advantage is that the cheese grater design won't clog with wood. I'll know more soon. The Shinto ($33) is lighter and better quality. You can use both hands and the coarse side to remove lots of wood fast, or one hand and the fine side for smoothing and finishing. It doesn't hang up, tear out chunks, or leave gouges. It won't clog at all. The Nicholson #49 ($60) is also awesome. Same sort of advantages as the Shinto with the added advantage of 1 flat side and 1 rounded. It will clog. But I hear that they are not as well-made as they used to be. Your next step up would be an upscale rasp from a woodworker's supply ($100). Ouch.I look forward to using the Shinto more and exploring its potential. Right now, I feel like I will pick it up over the farrier or the surform. The only real disadvantage is that there is no curved surface. The narrowness and curved side of the #49 keep it in my starting lineup for shaping curvy areas. But the wide flat face of the Shinto is great for most applications. Combined with its aggressive, smooth cutting, choice of fine and coarse sides, no clog design and good price, the Shinto will probably wind up on my very short A-list of must have tools.

very nice. great speed removing wood

Didn't know what to expect as I've never owned a rasp before - but this one came highly rated. After getting to know this tool over the past weeks, I'm amazed at what it can do. The design is incredibly functional and efficient. Ergonomics are good, all things considered. Both the rough and finer faces are quite sharp and the tool is overall very sturdy and well-made. I've used it so far on pine, cherry, and oak and it has performed flawlessly - eats through all of them, soft and hardwood, without any hesitation or difference in effort.Some reviewers noted that the stiffness of the overall unit ( wooden handle connection with metal rasp) eventually loosens - I haven't experienced this so far. I plan to do a long-term review after I've really put it through the paces on an upcoming furniture build. So far, a great tool at a reasonable price!

I love this rasp! If you are a woodworker or just enjoy hand tools, this is definitely one to hang on the wall.It shaves fast and well. Comfortable to hold and use. And it has an aggressive side and a less aggressive side for awesome functionality.

This rasp removes material cleanly and quickly, so much more efficient than a traditional file for quickly sculpting wood.

LOVE THIS THING. My bow making instructor had one and it was a joy to use, so much better than your traditional rasp (in my opinion)! My one and only complain is that it doesn't have a wood handle, but that's just because I prefer traditional looking tools and materials. Feels nice in the hand, and the 2 sidedness is great for switching between finer and rougher work.

Effortlessly devours hardwood in a flurry of sawdust. It is very effective and easy to control with precision, requiring very little pressure. It make smooth, shallow cuts, which are easy to sand out. Im a bit disappointed with the build quality. The riviting on mine, is on the sloppy side and the handle isnt as secure as Id like. However, the way this tool is designed and constructed, these issues are no doubt an engineering challenge that would significantly complicate the build and increase price, to solve, therfore its forgivable. I have concerns about its durability, but at this price, its worth the risk for such a high performance tool.All its faults considered, its the best performing rasp Ive ever used. Ive completed a couple major projects with it and well gotten my money's worth, so if it ends up falling apart, Ill probably buy another.UPDATE:18 months of regular and often demanding use and this thing is still rockin'! I recently worked for more than an hour on an axe head, with a file. I was getting nowhere, so I put the Shinto rasp to it and in 5 min, had cut a clean, flat bevel on the blade. It shreds tempered steel, just like wood. More amazing, is that it didnt dull and still cuts wood like new. It was like the old Ginsu commercial where they cut rebar with it and then fillet a tomato. LOVE THIS MONSTER!

This rasp is sharp and efficient. The rivets do get in the way a bit on flush cuts but flat rasping is a breeze. The handle is very comfortable and the rasp seems well constructed.