Need help sharpening scraper

[WhistlingBadger]

So, I am very slowly working on turning Timbo's stave into a bow.  A while back I got a cabinet scraper and a burnishing rod.  I love working with this thing--it makes me slow down and think about what I'm doing, and I like the smooth finish it leaves.

However, for the life of me I can't get it to shave like it did at first.  The guys on youtube make it look so simple!  I put it in a vice, file off the burs, file the top flat, then work the burnishing rod across it at an angle until I have a new bur that catches my fingernail.  I take it to my bow and...nothing.  I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.  Any tips, hints, or cheat codes???

[osage outlaw]

You might have to adjust the angle of the scraper to get it to cut. 

This is how I learned.  I used to make scrapers to sell at shoots.   I sharpened them all this way.   

https://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,1237.0.html

[mmattockx]

SI put it in a vice, file off the burs, file the top flat, then work the burnishing rod across it at an angle until I have a new bur that catches my fingernail.  I take it to my bow and...nothing.  I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.  Any tips, hints, or cheat codes???

You are probably pushing too hard on the burnisher, it doesn't take much pressure at all.

This is a good demo of how to do it, even without the guide block: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3Sl6FrWwNQ


Mark

[WhistlingBadger]

Thanks, guys.  That should help.

[Hawkdancer]

  Use your Buck knife! .  I did!  Just be easy with the burnishing rod, they are real tough steel!
Hawkdancer