mystic longbow scraper

[hunting badger]

I have a mystic longbow scraper that needs sharpening, has anybody ever sharpened one ? If so what method did you use? Im not sure if I should sharpen it just like a regular card scraper or use another method, its came with the edges beveled, it looks like with a grinder.  What say Ye?

[Roy from Pa]

Maybe a block of wood and fine sandpaper.

[hunting badger]

Thanks Roy! I'm tempted to try sharpening it like a card scraper. It's a lot thicker than a card scraper, just trying to get some help before I dive into it. It's a very good scraper and you can really get after it because it is stiffer that a card scraper. great for removing wood after the fine side of a rasp. I like using it between the fine rasp and the thin card scraper.

[scrub-buster]

This is how I sharpen my scrapers made from big bandsaw blade material.  I don't see why it wouldn't work on thicker steel.  I can go a year or two before having to redo a burr.

1. Remove any existing burr.  
2. Clamp it in a vise and draw file the edge.
3. Remove the burr again.
4. Draw file the edge again.
5. Use a burnishing rod to push on the edges at a slight angle to roll the burr.  A round screwdriver will work also.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I had no luck with that scraper and gave it away years ago. I couldn't make it cut. Its tool steel and tool steel doesn't move with a file or burnishing tool. The edge has to be square, you wont get a burr.

[Bowjunkie]

A standard burnisher, drill rod, drill bit, etc doesn't work the same on the Mystik as it does other scrapers.

Chris, actually I believe it's stainless steel. I bought mine from the Swanks, who market them, and Bernie told me how to sharpen it.

Often you can just reconstitute the burr without squaring everything up again by following the directions below, but if it doesn't work for some reason, take the time to make the edges flat and square to the sides with a smooth single cut mill file. I like to use about a 8-10" file.

Then hold it solidly in a bench vise and tilt the file a few degrees, its tip toward the floor, and file it with moderate downward pressure, running it mostly down its length, but also slightly off the edge. It will push a burr over the edge. File in only one direction. It should only take 10-20 strokes.

You can change the angle of the file a few degrees more or less, and/or for more or less strokes, to create a bigger or smaller burr.

Hope this makes sense.

One other thing to keep in mind, you know how a file's teeth are cut at an angle? And how that causes it to cut smoother one direction than the other, especially when filing at a sharp skewed angle to the workpiece? You can often feel it as you work the file. If you run it the smooth way, it will leave a cleaner edge on the burr of this stainless scraper. The rough way can leave a slightly jagged edge that will leave tiny grooves in the wood surface. Try it both ways, you'll see what I mean. Do all four corners of the scraper this way.

Mystik scrapers sharpen faster, but I rarely ever use it because I don't think it does as well as a regular cabinet scraper and the burr doesn't last as long... but it can be made to work pretty decent by using a file like above if that's all you have. Give er a shot.

[PEARL DRUMS]

It must have been the files I tried to use on it. They work just fine on my homemade scrapers, but did absolutely nothing on the Mystic. I have little patience for lengthy tool maintenance or cheezy tools. So, I tried a few times and got rid of it and just stuck with my homemade scrapers. And I think you are right, its stainless, not a tool steel. Hard as heck all the same.

[Forwardhandle]

I watched Gary Davis Rattle stick bow dvd and he showed how he sharpens his card scrapers on the belt sander by putting them up against the stop and letting the belt put the edge on ,tried it with a old card scrapper and it worked been doing it sense but it only burrs one side of the card but takes about 3 min. including running the burring tool to change the angle it works for card scrappers not familiar with the scapper you have.

[hunting badger]

After looking at the edge and how it was made I think Bowjunkie is right, I going to try that method tomorrow. I really like the tool, you can really remove nice long flakes when its sharp. I also like the rigid aspect of the tool, its very sturdy. I tried to sharpen it like a regular card scraper and then used a burnishing tool but that didn't work, Pearl drums stated.

Thanks Guys, I appreciate the input!