Card Scraper Sharpening | Paul Sellers
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2024
- The card scraper is the least complex of all woodworking tools in that it comprises a single piece of plate steel with a highly refined cutting edge.
Throughout history, this tool has refined even the very wildest grain to the ultimate pinnacle of refinement levels. In this video, Paul demonstrates how to sharpen this incredibly versatile tool.
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Tools are one thing but having someone who has the knowledge to used them properly and willing to teach others is a gold mine. Thanks to Paul and his opening to us.
The world is a better place because of people like you Paul. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Hi Paul. Over 50+ years, I have been a minimal part time handyman, doing simple manufacturing and repair jobs. I recollect that using hand tools, due to inexperience, resulted in less than attractive finished products. I am now close to retirement, my family has grown and providing for themselves and I have matured to the extent that the aesthetics of a finished product are so important and being so involved in that result by using hand tools makes the effort such a pleasure. The “social style education “ that you provide has helped develop my skills but more importantly it has given me the ability to accept errors and unsatisfactory finishes and use them as a step to overcome and rectify problems. It’s up to me to improve my craft skills but when your teacher communicates on your level, it makes it so much easier. Thanks Paul.
Russell you put it so well. I am learning so Much from Paul.
I was introduced to the 'card scraper' as a 16 year old working in a furniture restoration company. Superb for removing old varnish or paint. 34 years later I use one frequently. I even made a small (80 x 50mm) one from a 'dead' handsaw. Slightly flexible, and able to hold a good edge. It gets such a smooth finish that sanding is usually not needed, which means that the grain of the wood is clearer, as sanding often 'blurs' the grain.
I agree, sandpaper has its uses, but for me, it's not in the wood workshop.
@@BrownianMotionPicture I think it still has a purpose for smoothing finish. As long as you don't sand through the finish, you aren't affecting the grain at all, but you are improving the surface.
You describe that, so well, I do not like that blurry wood effect
Every video where you say “whoops” are always my favorite.. thank you for sharing your knowledge in a way the world will be able to enjoy for many lifetimes
I find watching Paul so relaxing 😌
Thank you Sir! You have made it possible to feed my family through woodworking. I owe you so much, I would love to meet you!
I'm commenting here because the comment section of your blog for burnishers is closed. This is very helpful, and I see you are using the burnisher you made yourself. I so appreciate your blog showing 4 different burnishers including a nailset that worked equally well. I've a nail set and a sacrificial chisel I can use for my card and cabinet scraper.
As always Paul, you are a great help.
Some great tips here, two of which are not even spoken of, but are clear enough all the same. Storing one's scrapers in a notebook and using the palm to push the scraper blade. Thank you Mr. Sellers, I am eager to try this method of sharpening my scraper blades.
This card scraper sharpening method that Paul has introduced is quiet possibly the highest contribution made to woodworking and woodworkers in the last century.
Nothing short of extreme excellence through simplicity.
That's how this man rolls!...
Thank you much indeed!
Has anyone ever doubted that “this guy knows what he’s talkin’ about!”?
😂
I do, but only when he wears his space helmet to use the bandsaw lol . When it comes to his skill at woodworking I have no doubts
Phil Spaces lol so true
Never doubted him. He knows exactly what he’s talking about and is an excellent teacher!
Never heard him exhibit that amount of hubris before. Kinda odd.
I’ve tried untold different methods to sharpen a cabinet scraper over the years, this is by far the easiest and most effective method I’ve come across. Once again Mr Sellers reigns supreme!
Thanks a lot Paul! And what about sharpening the curved scrapers? How should that be done?
Paul, you are an outstanding teacher. I bought a card scraper over 20 years ago and it sat in my cabinet unused until I saw your video. I found the scraper, followed your instructions and in a few minutes, I was smoothing the difficult grain on the cherry cabinet that I'm building. Thanks for showing me another great way to better my skill set.
I made a card scraper today out of an old saw plate. I needed one to remove the finish from a beat up piano stool.
Followed Paul's advice in this video on sharpening. I don't have a burnisher, used the back of an old dull chisel instead (I think Paul mentioned using a chisel in a blog post?). It's pulling shavings! What a delight. Albeit not quite as fine shavings as Paul is getting. But the feel of the wood after a few goes of the cabinet scraper is just so smooth. Thank you Paul!
I watched this video at work and tried this method as soon as I got home... it’s the FIRST time I’ve been able to get shavings from my scraper! It also worked on my convex scraper. I’ve still got some practice to get those full-width shavings, but I’m committed to this technique. As always, Paul has helped me understand the tool better and get over a plateau.
I can finally die happy after my first absolutely successful Sharpening of a card scraper. I tried so many other method with disappointing results. I was hoping Paul would put out something. It worked perfect on the first try. Thanks Paul!
There are few times after 30 years of woodworking that you learn how to do something right after years of I have to say wrong. I was in the shop scraping the bottom of my new workbench I'm building and thought of this video watched it again and did it as he demonstrated. If you use a card scraper please try this absolutely amazing. Paul you are a true master.
I have had some card scrapers for years, just sitting in a drawer. I watched your video and sharpened one. Wow, why didn't I do this before! Thanks Paul, excellent as always. No expensive tools touted, just knowledge and experience to the fore.
Ive been using a paint scraper for this type work for years now
That was probably the best post-production correction of a mistake I've seen in any video. Paul's work is top notch.
Great video! Took me right back to basic woodwork in school in the '60's. We were told to call them finishers rather than scrapers in reverence to the tool and to emphasise that no further work was needed. Quite right!
When Mr. Sellers says or demonstrates something, I sit up and take notice. I have never seen or heard of this method before and will try this method. There is always something new to learn.
Thanks a lot, i just used a scraper for the 1st time on a curved cut of rowan wood, as i lack a spokeshave, I was worried i wouldn t be able to use it properly but it ended very easy to sharpen and use, thanks a lot to Paule Sellers!
New decade, new attitude. This guy does know what he's talking about :)
Love you Paul.
Hi Paul, Thank you so much for this Card Scraper sharpening video. I have read articles and watched other demonstrations. This is the best explanation of how to properly sharpen a card scraper. I just sharpened the scraper and I am now getting great shavings on figured Black Walnut.
Beautiful video as usual. Can you make a video on sharpening a curved shaver? I can never get it sharp
Wish you had magnified the edge to show the lovely edge you have created. thank you for being a good teacher.
Perfectly timed -- just got a couple of scrapers and a burnisher for Christmas.
Wow - tried it and had full length shavings whereas before I've mostly only ever had dust except for the occasional accidental success! Hard maple and sapele were silky smooth in one or two passes with my newly sharpened scraper.
Actually I think I overdid it! The shavings are quite thick - thicker than from what I'd set my smoothing plane to. In fact it was not able to smooth very dry poplar. I think I pressed too hard on the final step of burnishing and rolling to the sides of the wood. Well now I kow how to make an aggresive burr I can dial it back and make finer ones.
Thank you Mr Sellers.
I’ve used a few methods for sharpening my scraper. This is the best so far. Works beautifully.
always good to see you work
Thank you so much for sharing you knowledge! My skills of working with hand tools would‘nt be the same without your lessons on youtube. You are my hero of woodworking!
Interesting I have a book on sharpening tools and it doesn’t show that method I will give it a try. How about doing a video on how to sharpen curved scrapers
woodworkingmasterclasses.com/videos/curved-scraper-sharpening/
I second the request for a curved scraper sharpening lesson. Thanks again!
Paul, your burnisher looks just like my oyster knife. Love your videos. You're very informative.
Interesting, Looks like my 'vintage oyster knife' from eBay too! 🙂
The first few lines of this video is why I watch Paul Sellers. A lifetime of mistakes and lessons distilled into one sentence.
Went ahead and tried it today. So satisfying to finally get shavings instead of dust! Thank you
So far I've tried 2 or 3 different methods (as per UA-cam) and had very little luck with my scrapers on my chosen main medium of work. I thought I wasn't getting the edge right ... but as it turns out, the edge worked fairly well on hardwood, and failed dramatically on Cedar (which turned to dust under the scraper). Do you change up how you prepare your card if using it on a softer species of wood? By the way, of all methods noted on UA-cam, so far yours was the least nonsense, and best illustrated method I've seen. Now a subscriber.
Well, I’ve just given this a go and it’s my second time doing it. The first one hardly did anything (just dust), but following your instructions, I can now create lovely thin shavings. I’m surprised - not that your technique worked - but that I was able to recreate it and get it to work. Brilliant! Thank you.
I was hoping to see your take on this, and what do you know, it's a different method to what I had known before. Certainly you are getting better results than I was, until now I hope.
Thank you Paul for all your knowledge!
Just tried this technique today. Worked wonderfully. Had never gotten great results with card scraper before today. Thank you for passing on your knowledge.
Well there are thousands of card scraper sharpening videos on you tube that are either half an hour or so of waffle, just pants or are just wrong.
At last a video that is short, to the point and works remarkably well.
Hope you can do more like this.
And here I've gone and left my burnisher in a house far out in the countryside. I had really given up on scraper sharpening but this very different approach inspires me to give it another go. Thanks!
That method of holding the scraper where you use the heel of the palm to create the bow in the scraper rather than the thumbs works like magic!
This method seems superior to the other ways I've watched and tried with limited success. I really like the holder so you can rest assured I will be trying this out this very weekend. :)
Thanks a million.
I know this is an old post but I’m still going to comment. I have tried multiple different methods of sharpening card scrapers, all from UA-cam, but I have to say that nothing, I mean nothing comes close to this method. My scrapers come out sharper, take more shavings, and last must longer than any other method. Thank you Paul!!
A sharp scraper is a joy to use. Old saw blades can yield good scrapers. His sharpening method looks so much better than mine. Can’t wait to try it.
I'd never used a card scraper in my life. This technique had me getting beautiful shavings on my first try, using the back of an old chisel as a burnishing tool. Thanks Paul.
Wow I used this method it’s is the best my scraper worked ever . Thx for this video.
Finally a great and simple way to sharpen card scrapers. "This guy knows what he's talking about" Love the card scraper storage book idea.
Paul, this is great information. I would also like to see how you sharpen scrapers that have rounded or French curve cutting edges. These have seriously challenged me. Thank you and keep up the great work!
Particularly scrapers with concave edges.
Ir works!!! Thank you very much sir! Respect
Whoah! Look at those shavings! This guy knows what he's talking about
Thanks Paul!
This is a beautifully done instructional. It’s so helpful, and I love the subtle humor!
I just love this man!
You are the greatest woodorker of all times!
Amazing he went out of his way toget make it simpler as he could for newbs. Thank you Paul
Card scrapers are the entry drug into hand tool woodworking.
I have struggled with sharpening a scrapping. Now I know how the master does it. I will use this method tomorrow.
Another great lesson, thanks.
i’ve always struggled to get this right, high hopes that i’ll be able to finally get a decent edge now. Also i love the scraper notebook!
could you show how to sharpen a curved scraper please?
Sandpaper on a dowel , I think he did a video on it years ago , but I’m not sure
@Roderick storey I guess the stones would clean the scraper sides and then the burnisher would put the burr on as with a straight scraper, but I liked the little hack Paul uses of using a kerf to trap the scraper as he worked on it. I was wondering if he had a hack for a curved scraper as I produce an uneven burr as I work the burnisher along the curve.
@@duncanabbot8352 could you not just use the same method, but cut the pieces of wood with the kerf to the same profile as the curved scraper? Maybe use a bandsaw or jigsaw to cut quickly. You could save that wood as a specific jig for this purpose
I would use exactly the same method just make the 2x4 to mutch the shape of the scraper
Thanks. I just bought several types and didn't know how to sharpen them.
Paul, your timing is always excellent. I received a pack of scrapers for Christmas and was planning on referencing a video for sharpening them. Thanks.
Thank you
Clear. Concise. Accurate. Perfect! Thanks!
Thanks Paul, This works wonderfully! And perfect timing too as I just used the scraper to finish my current project - I didn't buy a scraper before because I thought the sharpening would be too difficult but that was actually pretty easy to follow
Thank you again Paul. Always look forward to your videos.
How woodworkers curse each other, "Go sharpen a scraper!"
Thank you. That was helpful! So simple and so effective.
“I’m just showing off now…” love this guy!
Got it Thanks Paul
Love the videos Mr. Sellers. Any classes stateside around louisiana? My opinion, you have the purest form of woodworking, and the most effective and practical advice on the web. Thank you for the lessons!
This method works very well. Thanks !
Thank you for that, vey well explained indeed! Love the voice overs! :D
Thanks mate... great info
Could you do a video on sharpening a curved scraper please
I have always had a tough time sharpening my scraper. I shall try it your way and see how it goes.
Thanks
Frsnk
Thanks Paul! I have struggled to get a good burr but now I know how!
Well done Paul. I’ll let you know how it works out.
Belated birthday wishes Paul, may your dreams for the future come to fruition
Revisting this to refresh my memory before going back into my cellar to sharpen them. Seeing you using the tricker/burnisher and slipping slightly makes me realise why I rounded the corners of my scrapers. Good idea about the piece of timber for a vice I'm going to make one as I usually use my metal working vice but due to space limitations I have to stand at right angles to it and doesn't feel as ergonomic as it would be if I can stand parallel to it in my wood working vice - thanks!
The comment about getting a decent flat file made me smile, it's a bit like: "find yourself a good bike wheel builder", do you go into a bike shop and ask it they are a good wheel builder - nah go next door....... How do you tell whether they are decent and what are the signs that you've been sold a pup?
It makes a lovely sound on the oak.😊
Thanks Paul, nicely done ✅
I had the good luck to find a card scraper at the local recycling centre shop for 10p , a quick clean up revealed it was a marples clover leaf . What I'd like to ask is would a carving knife steel work as I don't have a burnisher. Great video as usual, thank you Paul.
Yes and no are the answers I've gotten from other channels. Depends, is it a diamond steel? Ridged or glass smooth?
A carbide rod off Amazon, or the like, will work for sure. Carbide is harder than cards or sawblades that some make their cards from. Knife steels come in all sorts of metals, so some may work, and some may not. Typical knives, like in a home kitchen, may not be as hard of a metal as most card scrapers, so you wouldn't need as hard of a steel for the sharpening steel to be made from. Nothing wrong with trying it and see if the results are what you'd expect, you can always buy something else if your knife steel doesn't work for you. But hey, if it does, great, you've got one of the better ones. Another tip, run your "steel" horizontally for a few strokes and see if you can detect any "damage" to your rod, if so, it isn't hard enough steel, if not, then it should work.
@@thomasarussellsr I saw, and copied, the use of the back edge of a cast iron vice for rolling a burr.
I'm no great carpenter but I've used the trick quite a bit for scraping/levelling lacquer finish repairs on guitars.
More often using a fresh razor blade and rolling the edge over.
Thankyou.
Thanks Paul. Hitting it tomorrow am!
lovely
I like to sharpen two or even all four sides of the scraper. If you do so, you might wish to make a holder for the scraper so as to avoid sore and cut fingers. Also, it may be possible to find an vintage handsaw jointer-file device for the initial process of removing the burr.
A bad day you don't learn something from the MASTER of woodworking
Thank you, this is really useful
Thanks for the video! I always have trouble getting a good cutting edge on the card scraper and now I understand why - what I learned (many years ago, from an old timer woodworker) was a very fast and simple way of burnishing, with a cutting edge only on one side. I have to try it your way - just from the video, it looks much better.
I put my faith in nut
I would appreciate you demonstrating a curved scraper. I find them much harder to do.
Thank you sir! Excellent video!
Thank you Paul. Simply Outstanding!
Many thanks Paul.
Hi Paul here from land of the sleeping Giant. 🇨🇦 Many Thanks great Video. Cheers Mate..
I bought a scraper because I don't like chemical stripping and they're cheap. Your article on burnishers says I don't need the $30 one from the wood working store but! Now I see you and others using a $300 diamond stone set (you say I don't need), a file, and expensive oil to get it sharp. Can you show us using a regular stone set and water? I've been trying various chisels, a nail set and others. Thanks, I'm getting a little better, some curling but lots of dust.
Great review Paul, I really like your idea of the block of wood. I have been using my vise and it is so hard to hold that file level. I am headed to the shop to sharpen my scraper...