As an avid handtool user, I always keep a cabinet scraper in the tool cabinet right next to my handplanes. A scraper won’t remove material as quickly as a handplane, but for certain tasks, a less-aggressive cutting tool is exactly what I need.

The cabinet scraper stands out when it comes to cutting through tricky grain; it generally produces a smoother surface, mainly because it’s less likely than a plane to tear out wood fibers. Also, when set to make an extra-fine cut, it’s useful for smoothing the surface of veneer because it minimizes the danger of accidentally cutting through the thin material. And, to add to its versatility, the cabinet scraper often is used to remove glue from a board, or sometimes even paint. So, with all that in mind, when the latest cabinet scraper from Veritas arrived at my shop, I was eager to give it a good workout.

Right out of the box, the scraper was ready to go. All I needed to do was burnish a small hook on the bevel of the blade.

Weighing just under 2 lb., the Veritas is heavier than other cabinet scrapers, a characteristic that contributes to its solid, well-built feel. The overall width of the ductile-cast-iron body is about 11-1/2 in., with the blade measuring 2-3/4 in. wide.

As a test, I used the scraper on three figured hardwoods: white oak, mahogany, and cherry. Each time, I was able to produce a blemish-free surface along with a heap of fine shavings. In short, I was more than pleased with this new scraper, and it has earned a place in my tool cabinet.

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