20 second scraper burr

razorback · July 10, 2011, 05:37:00 PM

Like many people who work with wood, i have wanted to use a cabinet scraper but could never get a burr on it. Well I got lucky on friday. I work at an Arts Center and we had a gentleman doing a workshop on making canoe paddles. I kept checking in, just to see if he needed anything, and noticed his scrapers. I asked how he got the burr on his and he shared his secret to getting a burr in 20 seconds. All he would do is put a mill file flat on his bench and pull the scraper across it 5 or 6 times, flip it over and do the other side. This leaves a burr on all 4 sides of the scraper. He claims it is about 90% of a scaper that is done in the traditional fashion with a burnisher and is a whole lot simpler.

Tried it this morning and I now have a new favorite tool. It couldn't be simpler and the 10% missed really isn't used for most of our work anyway.

He also sells flat and curved micro plane blades so if you need one shoot me a PM and I can give you his information.

bigcountry · July 10, 2011, 08:05:00 PM

Surprised it leaves a burr, I use a mill file like this too, and it take off the old burr, and leaves it flat. He must put a lot of pressure on it.

Shaun · July 10, 2011, 08:33:00 PM

Need a picture or more explanation of how you are "pulling the scraper" across the file.

razorback · July 10, 2011, 09:35:00 PM

Camera died so will charge the battery and get some photo's tomorrow.
Big, I was surprised too. You do apply a good amount of pressure but not extreme amounts.
I've only ever gotten dust with a scraper before and tonight I was making fine shavings.

4est trekker · July 10, 2011, 09:46:00 PM

Not sure if I can post a YouTube link, but here's a demonstration of what you're talking about, Tony...I think. This is how I prepare some of my scrapers as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3sqDWFAA0s

razorback · July 10, 2011, 09:58:00 PM

Curt, that is exactly what I was talking about, works great.

SportHunter · July 10, 2011, 10:15:00 PM

Great link 4est, I just ordered two scrapers and a burnishing tool today before seeing this. Looking forward to trying both methods of sharpening the scrapers.

scrub-buster · July 10, 2011, 10:57:00 PM

Well, I know what I'm doing tomorrow. Burring up my scrapers. Thanks for the tip and video.

Shaun · July 10, 2011, 11:36:00 PM

Good system with the caveat that this does not create a "smooth" cut ready for finish the way a burnished edge scraper can. I love scrapers of various types for self bows. I use a Swank heavy SS stick scraper for roughing and cleaning up spring wood after chasing a ring, a card scraper for shaping and removing file marks and a Bowyers edge scraper for fine tillering. Also a hook scraper with bulb wood handle for working around knots.

John Scifres · July 11, 2011, 12:57:00 PM

Several years back, I was at MOJam and Gary Davis almost secretively demonstrated a very similar method. I distinctly remember him saying something like "Don't tell Dean Torges about this". It was shortly before that Dean's book dedicated a chapter to sharpening cabinets scrapers.

I use a scraper for most finishing work on my bows. A file or grinder does a fine job if frequently touched up. A squared and burnished job lasts a bit longer though and gives me a better finish.

My wife's uncle is a meat cutter. Years ago, they had someone on staff just to sharpen their high-end, hard steel knives. Nowadays, they use cheaper, thinner, softer steel knives and run them through a sharpener ever few hundred cuts.

Either way works just fine and the cost-benefit is up to you.

Adam Keiper · July 11, 2011, 05:42:00 PM

I sharpen my heavy duty Mystik scraper with a file as well, except I clamp the scraper and hold the file. It's a quick way to sharpen a scraper, and that particular scraper removes alot of wood. I still prefer to use the more tedious burnishing method on my Sandvik and gooseneck scrapers, though, since a burnished edge gives a cleaner work surface. I use the coarse scraper for much of the tillering, but switch to the finer Sandvik for closing in. The gooseneck is good for working around knots and dips on the bow's back. A finer, cleaner scraper cut means less time with sandpaper, which is really tedious. Both are good sharpening methods for the intended tasks.

soopernate · July 12, 2011, 01:57:00 PM

I have old bandsaw blade chunks that I use as a scraper. Touch em on a running belt sander for a few seconds and you got a nice burr...I think I got that tip here on tradgang as a matter of fact.

frank bullitt · July 12, 2011, 02:41:00 PM

GSD, shows the quickie method, in his dvd.
I use the burnisher on my scrapers, and bowyers edge, too.

Like sharpening any cutting tool, do what works for ya.

Most fine wood working mags, have an article, dedicated to sharpening scrapers, annually. No secrets or magic!

snag · July 12, 2011, 06:03:00 PM

I do as 4est Trekker's youtube video suggests. Works great.

Jculber301 · July 14, 2011, 11:21:00 PM

At work we use Spring steel, like the bands on shipping crates, and just hit them on a fine grinding wheel at a slight angle,just a hair below 90,you will feel the burr on the back side,for a super quick,very smooth blade use a box cutter blabe and burnish it, just angle the blade at about a 45 and run it across the shank of a router bit or a good smooth screwdriver, two passes.It takes a little