Cabinet Scrapers

[Tom Lewis]

Would like some opinions on cabinet scrapers. There are thick and thin sets that are the same price on this site.  http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/wood-scrapers.aspx

Any opinions on thick or thin, or if these are even worth buying? I was looking at the set of 3 for 16.99

[SportHunter]

I've been using the Bahco brand. Really like them, they sharpen up nice on a file, make great shavings.

[mikkekeswick]

Buy the best you can afford. Look for the highest rockwell hardness rating. The thicker ones tend to be best for bow making.
The real thing with scrapers is learning how to properly roll a solid burr on them....it took me about 2 years to figure out that it makes all the difference when one is prepared properly.
The most recent Primitive Archer magazine has a good article in ti about how to correctly sharpen a scraper. Non of them come sharpened (just squared) so you have to learn how to do it from the start if you want to get the best out of a scraper.
You should be able to take beautiful curls off with one hand and light pressure. No dust should be formed.

[canopyboy]

I actually prefer the thinner ones for bows as I can flex them easier to work complicated areas. You'll want a gooseneck one too. They are not an expensive tool, but you'll come to love them.

Mike is correct about sharpening. Hunting the Osage Bow by Torges also has an entire chapter on sharpening and using a scraper.

[darin putman]

I personally love the mystic scraper, cost a little more around $27 from 3 rivers. It is thicker so much that you can use from either side and can also use curve ends for scraping.

[Bowjunkie]

I have the Mystik scraper and never use it.

I like the regular thin ones, straight and gooseneck.

Learn to sharpen them correctly, they'll be a valuable asset and you'll love them. Once sharpened, don't ever allow the edge to contact metal. Files haven't touched mine in over ten years. Just a stone and a burnisher.

I second Dean's book, Hunting the Osage Bow. He goes into good detail about sharpening them correctly.

[scrub-buster]

I made my own scraper out of an old circular saw blade.  I have had to touch up the burr only once in the past 4 years or so.

[Tom Lewis]

Thanks for all the replies. There didnt seem to be much info on that site about the set I looked at. Also it seems everyone here has their own preference. I guess for a little over $20 with the shipping they would be worth a try. Hey Bowjunkie you could send me that Mystik since your not using it. ;-)