Replies

1. 
   kerf | Mar 29, 2003 09:12am | #1

   ...Check out Wood FInishing with Frank Klausz (video). In fact the clip on the Taunton website has the precise answer for you. There you will see Klausz creating the edge you're after!

   http://www.taunton.com/store/pages/060003.asp

   Regards,

   Kerf.

2. 
   BG | Mar 29, 2003 12:42pm | #2

   Tufenhundel,

   While at a recent WW show, I stoped by the LN booth to play with their scrapers.  The scraper was kinda dull so the guy there took out his veritas scraper sharpener...with the ability to dial in the hook angle...gave it a couple of strokes and done...perfect hook, beautifully sharp.

   You should not need any sandpaper.  Just square it up and bend it over with the rod.  But The Veritas appears to be even easier...

3. 
   ChasStanford | Mar 29, 2003 03:30pm | #3

   Get the Taunton video that features Tage Frid demonstrating cutting dovetails.  During that video he shows his very quick method for preparing a scraper that is worth the price of the video alone.

4. 
   Lilshaver | Mar 29, 2003 11:48pm | #4

   And.......along with other problems with technique that you are probably not aware of.....it sounds like you are applying way too much pressure. Moderate pressure is sufficient. You should be able to take a dull scraper to very sharp (all four cutting edges) in a few minutes.

5. 
   SgianDubh | Mar 30, 2003 12:58am | #5

   That sounds inordinately long. Your technique might be all to hell, or not, but occassionaly I do come across scrapers made out of 'monkey' metal. They just won't take an edge.

   I don't bother with all the stages you enumerate-- just a bit of filing to square the edge to the face if the thing is well worn, and turning the edge with a hard bit of steel does it for me-- even a hard screwdriver will do. Most of the the time I don't even bother with filing, and I rework the edge to form a hook.

   It's all too easy to get hung up on the process rather than the result. Slainte.

   Website    The poster formerly known as Sgian Dubh.

1. 
   tufenhundel | Mar 30, 2003 05:08am | #6

   Hey thanks all.  That little preview of Klauz's scraper burnishing is awesome.  I still can't believe he did it with only one hand holding the burnisher.  I am going to re-examine my method.  And maybe get some different scrapers to try.

1. 
   ChasStanford | Mar 31, 2003 02:27pm | #7

   If you buy the video I mentioned wait until you see Tage do it with the back of a chisel.

2. 
   kennedy136 | Apr 01, 2003 06:20am | #8

   Richard,

           "It's all too easy to get hung up on a process rather than the result"

   VERY WELL SAID!!!

                           Mark

6. 
   Clay | Apr 01, 2003 07:35am | #9

   You are making it waaaaay too hard.  Light to moderate pressure only.  The main problem with your technique is that all the sanding is rounding the edges so that you can't have a good corner to start with.  Skip all that sanding crap and the oil too.  File and then draw and burnish the hook.  Two light strojkes with one hand holding the burnisher and one the scraper for each side of the edge.  The first is flat and the second at a slight angle.

7. 
   Napie | Apr 01, 2003 06:38pm | #10

   I learned to sharpen scrapers from Tage Frid about 15 years ago and it has never failed me since. File the edge square, smooth on an oil stone and burnish with VERY LIGHT strokes from an old round screwdriver. The key is the square edge and light pressure on the burnisher. You should be able to re-turn the edge 3-4 times before filing again.