Humble but hyper-handy, hook scrapers have been part of virtually every boat project I’ve done over the last 45 years. Unfortunately, this essential tool has been given a bad rap thanks to junky knock-off paint scrapers that can’t hold an edge properly or feel comfortable in the hand. The author's collection, which includes some garage-sale finds and very old scrapers, has made itself useful through 45 years of building boats.
Ken Textor
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I’ve got a couple of these and use them occasionally but I use card scrapers a lot more. There’s a learning process to prepping and using them but they’re inexpensive and quite versatile. Most are flat steel rectangles in different thicknesses but there are a number of other shapes available and all can be ground to fit a particular curve or molding.
I think the new Red Devil’s have plastic handles which aren’t as good as the wood ones.
For in the field away from the bench sharpening, brace your file and run the scraper over it at the right angle.