Best scraper/scrapers

[DuBois]

I need to get a good scraper for tillering. I been using a lockblade knife so far but I think I better invest in some better tools. What do you think is the best one and where from? Thanks, Marco.

[Lee Slikkers]

Check out Lee Valley online...do a search for their "Super-Hard Curved Scraper Sets"  It runs about $14 and you get 4 different style/shape scrapers...I love the goose neck one for character bows too!  Good luck.

[DuBois]

Will do. Thanks Lee

[k-hat]

Lee do you recommend the .4mm or .6mm?  Which one do you use?

[Lee Slikkers]

I like the .6mm best as I find the .4mm flex just a touch more than I like and you can end up with a slight hump.  I have both thickness but use the .6mm more often...they make life sooo much easier when chasing a difficult or thing ring.  Good luck!

[Carson (CMB)]

The key to a good scraper is the edge you put on it.  Putting a good edge on a scraper takes a little know-how.  I follow Dean Torges method and get great results (explained in detail in Hunting the Osage Bow).  I could try to explain it in three easy steps, but it wouldn't do you any good.  One quick tip I can tell you though is that you do not need an expensive burnisher for putting a good edge on.  You just need some very hard steel with a round blemish free edge.  I use the back-side of my needle-nose pliers and it works great.   

I love using a scraper around someone who has never seen one before....there is this disbelief that this unassuming square piece of steel can pull long clean curls away from a wood bow stave. 

[k-hat]

Thanks for the info, I'll have to add those to my wish list

[toomanyknots]

The key to a good scraper is the edge you put on it.  Putting a good edge on a scraper takes a little know-how.  I follow Dean Torges method and get great results (explained in detail in Hunting the Osage Bow).  I could try to explain it in three easy steps, but it wouldn't do you any good.  One quick tip I can tell you though is that you do not need an expensive burnisher for putting a good edge on.  You just need some very hard steel with a round blemish free edge.  I use the back-side of my needle-nose pliers and it works great.   

I love using a scraper around someone who has never seen one before....there is this disbelief that this unassuming square piece of steel can pull long clean curls away from a wood bow stave. 

Any other inexpensive things you can use as burnishers? I am using some screw driver I have that is made of some crazy hard metal right now, but it is not working super great. I have thought of using a marble rolling pin, but than again I am thinking it will just scratch the marble and not work at all.

[lostarrow]

Lee valley also sells a small burnisher ( just a small piece of carbide in a handle) Don't remember the cost ,as I bought it 20+ years ago. The only one I ever needed . Tried the big, fancy one and didn't really like it.

[lostarrow]

$ 7.50 works better than a screw driver etc. Easy to control

[Youngboyer2(billyf)]

How do you sharpen those curved ones?

[Carson (CMB)]

7.50 is not bad.  If you can't manage that maybe try your local machinest for a worn out bearing reamer. 

[lostarrow]

How do you sharpen those curved ones?

Slowly and carefully

[osage outlaw]

My best scraper is one I made from a circular saw blade.  I put a good edge on it when I made it several years ago and it is still working great. 

[dbb]

I use a roundfile,the uncut part next to the handle to burnish my scraper.
That works pretty well.