Officials have announced that Auriou, a well-known rasp-making firm, plans to reopen its French factory this summer following a labor dispute. The closing of the company resulted in a purchasing frenzy of the rasps by woodworkers that continues to this day , one Auriou flat rasp sold for on eBay today.
The new Auriou will be a smaller company that will focus on making tools for the woodworking and stone-working market, according to Mike Hancock of Classic Hand Tools in the United Kingdom. Hancock stated in an email that export plans are being made for the rasps once the factory has started production.
Hancock was part of a small group of investors that purchased the machinery and tooling from the Auriou factory when it was auctioned off. Hancock claims Michel Auriou, the former factory manager, will become the technical and workshop director for the new company.
In addition to the machinery and tooling, Hancocks company also purchased a selection of finished rasps and rifflers during the auction that he will be selling beginning on Monday, Feb. 11. To get a list of the tools (mostly rifflers) send an e-mail to [email protected] and ask for the rasps & riffler list.
