How to Sharpen a Convex Card Scraper

A sharp convex card scraper will reproduce the negative profile to itself easily and crisply, making the clean up and smoothing of flutes, bowls, etc. much easier.

Here's how I sharpen mine

Watch the video, then read through the more detailed steps.

This should help you understand the process more easily.

Use the convex card scraper to produce a short length of profile.

Make the profile slightly larger than the curve of the scraper. You'll see why later.

Clearly, this is best done when it is sharp, so try to remember this when you buy new profiled scrapers.

Work the scraper from side to side to make the profile slightly larger.

If the scraper is already dull, then you may find it difficult, and using a rasp and round file may speed the process up.

If your convex card scraper is nicked or very dull, then use a flat file to prepare the edge.

You want the 'thickness' (or edge) of the scraper to be at ninety degrees to the faces (flat sides), so keep the file at ninety degrees too.

Push some fine sandpaper into the profile you previously prepared, and use this to smooth the edge of the scraper curve.

The thickness of the sandpaper is why we make the profile slightly larger.

Remember to keep the profile and scraper face at ninety degrees to one another.

Now place the scraper face down on a fine india stone (or fine water stone, etc.) and rub off any burrs and unevenness at the cutting edge. Repeat with the opposite face.

Repeat on a flat piece of MDF, charged with honing compound, for a superior finish.

Charge the prepared profile with honing compound, and polish the edge of the scraper.

You can repeat these final two steps frequently as you use the scraper, to keep a keen edge and save having to go back to step 1.

I hope you've found this instructable useful.