What is a cabinet scraper?

A cabinet scraper (sometimes called a 'card scraper') is a woodworking tool used for shaping and finishing. 

The name 'cabinet' is used because scrapers are versatile and important tools for cabinet makers.

'The 'scraper' part of the name is used because they are used for scraping.

The name 'card scraper' comes from the tool's shape, which resembles a card.

The body and the cutting edges of most cabinet scrapers are formed from a single piece of material. The blades are created on each edge of the body.

The only cabinet scraper which is not formed from a single piece of material is the two-handled cabinet scraper.

Cabinet scrapers are used manually to scrape small amounts of material from the surface of wood - to smooth it, shape it, or remove an old finish from its surface.

They are often used on furniture and musical instruments such as guitars and violins.

Cabinet scrapers traditionally resemble a simple blade with no handle, but there are other, more complex designs available, which are explored further on.

The tools can be used on hardwood or softwood - but when using a cabinet scraper on any wood, you should generally work along the grain.

Scrapers are used in the same way for both softwood and hardwood.

The wood from a broadleaved tree, such as oak, ash and beech, is known as a hardwood.

Softwood comes from trees known as conifers (trees that bear cones), including pine, fir and spruce.