I do pretty much like Roy too... don't try too hard to get it all. It causes problems. Ive always preferred the looks of bamboo with a few whisps of rind left in those tiny valleys anyhow.
When you sharpen the edges of your scraper, roll the edges to varying degrees and then when it comes to scraping the rinsd off of bamboo, use an edge with a smaller hook on it. It will make less of a nick.
Also, as you work with the scraper, start it moving before it ever touches the work, then set it down light as a feather and always 'on the move', don't just drop it down at a 'starting point' and then begin scraping. That's how the nicks are created. Use light pressure and always work towards the rind and away from the freshly exposed bamboo. That way you are sitting down on rind and wiping away any previous nicks with the tail end of your strokes as you move from one end of the stave to the other.
Lift it in reverse of how you sat it down... gradually reduce pressure until it lifts off the bamboo... and still moving. This technique is subtly different and requires a little finess and you'll do it 'deliberately' and slowly at first, but will soon be doing it as fast as the other way. You should have to do almost no sanding when you're done with the scraper. I do minimal sanding on the bamboo, not much more than 60 seconds for the whole back most times wih 240 grit and have NO nicks visible any time afterwards, after dying or spraying, etc.
Hope this helps.
