Iwasaki carving files Unboxing, Testing & Comparison 

A tip on using the Iwasaki files: Don't use pressure like you would a normal rasp or file. You want to just skim over the work in the beginning. The teeth are so aggressive that if you put pressure they dig into the wood, which is why your initial cut on both the Iwasaki was difficult. It's also why the Smooth cut was doing better than the Medium because its shallower teeth prevented it from digger further in than the Medium's did. Think of how you would use a wood plane, where to make an efficient and smooth cut you don't want to expose too much of the blade nor try to muscle the cut through. The Iwasakis should get that same touch. Try just letting the weight the file make its cut in the beginning and then add a bit of pressure as you continue and progressively add more pressure until you get a feel for how much you need. Most of the time it's no more than the weight of the file plus the weight of your hand. Again, think more like skimming the surface of the work rather than forcing the cut. The few people that I know who've used Iwasaki files have said that they normally only use the Fine cut and Extra Fine cut and those still cut faster than other rasps and files. I myself have only needed to use the Extra Fine small files that are 8 inches long with half of that length being the handle so that only about 4 inches of the file have the teeth. I have a Medium cut as well and have not even used it because I've not seen the need to. Those small Extra Fine Iwasakis cut faster than coarse bastard cut 14 inch files. And as you've observed they make very smooth cuts. They really are amazing tools.

Thanks for the video Daniel, I'm underway in my first build (At long last) and had ordered some Iwasaki files, but wasn't sure how to connect the handles. You have a video for everything!

Excellent review, thanks! After looking at your video I purchased 4 Iwasaki files to aid in neck carvings and general purpose use. Three small round files with 3 different cuts and one large flat with extreme fine cut.

Nice! Never thought there would be that much of a difference in files!

Cool video, loved the comparisons. I bought a Shinto recently and I'm very happy with it, amazing tool.

Very interesting review. I especially liked seeing how to attach them to the handles

Hi Dan, the files look really nice, i too have them stains and i found them reall good to use, alex at TLC, is doing some good products, many thanks for sharing your time with the review. JJ

How do you find them after 6 months of use? Any changes of opinion? I've ordered stuff from TLC in the past, shipped to the UK and the hand written card as you say is a great touch.

Lose the background music.