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02/19/2010 |
In general I don't like apologizing for bad tools. Since we pay return postage on everything if there is a problem with a tool that's not an anomaly we either get the manufacturer to fix it or we discontinue the tools.
So long Nicholson 49 and 50 Rasps!!!! you had a great run, we loved selling you, but since you moved production to Brazil I have had to apologize too many times.
In the background of the pictures is the edge of my own personal Nicholson 49 pattern-maker's rasp that I used for years. Since I learned about hand cut rasps such as the Aurious and introduced out own Gramercy Rasps I haven't liked the 49 and 50 as much but at half the price they reflected a really great value and they work great on their own terms. I used them for 20 years before knowing of any better.
With the move to Brazil quality dropped and we started getting them back. Look at the new Brazilian production in the foreground: The teeth are off center in the body, which means that teeth are partially punched unevenly on the edge of the rasp - which will scratch unpredictably, the teeth are crowded together and they will clog more easily, and the toothing on the edge is much larger than before and forms an unwelcome ridge.
As of now we are discontinuing these rasps until Nicholson, actually the Cooper Tools which owns them fixes the problem. This leaves us with a gap in the mid-priced rasp area which we will try to fill but for now I would rather not sell them then have the hassle of defects and returns.
PS - this isn't a single anomaly - we are returning boxes of these rasps.
PPS - A few years ago we used to sell Nicholson saw files - when quality on that dropped we switched to what we now stock - Corradi.
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This is very sad indeed... Quality hand tools are becoming a rare beast.
On a side note, though. Check out the link below for these rasps. I have a 10" fine one and it works very well and the price is right. They claim the teeth are hand struck as well.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Files/Dragon_Hand-cut_Rasps/Dragon_Large_Hand-cut_Rasp.html
My 2 cents...
Take care,
Charlie
I know about dragon rasps. pretty good for what they are but I think the shape isn't as ideal as regular pattermaker's rasps for woodwork. For hand cut rasps for cabinetmaker's I think the Auriou and Gramercy rasps are better profiles - also in a larger selection.
joel
necessary for you to do this. Recognizing that this is a business decision, I
would like to thank you for standing on principle, too. The best answer to
shoddy manufacturing is a refusal to buy.
That's a pretty compelling photo.
Sorry to hear about this loss of one option for "raspers".
I think you're absolutely doing the right thing by returning
and discontinuing these. Hopefully Nicholson will get the
message that quality is important!
As for decent mid-priced rasps, what do you think of the
"Hand Cut Rasps" that Lee Valley sells for $20-30? If I
recall correctly they're Czeck-made. My Gramercy is
absolutely the best rasp I own, and is certainly a joy to
use. But in my experience the LV Hand Cut rasps offer quite
a lot of bang for the buck, and are a significant step up
from el cheapo machine-made rasps.
Andy
It's good to see TFWW is on top of tool quality, as always.
Gary
cost of a better tool.
Manufacture Of Rasps."
Larry
P.S. you should sell keyboard protectors too to catch the drool.