A scutch comb or drove requires maintenance when one of the cutting edges is blunt. You can tell that a scutch comb is blunt when the teeth become flatter and shorter.When you notice your attachment is blunt, remove it from the scutching tool and flip it over so that the blunt edge can be reinserted into the scutching tool. The spare sharp cutting edge is now available to use.
Make sure that the two faces of the hammer are kept clean.
Regularly check the condition of the scutch hammer handle.If the tool has a hickory handle, rub linseed oil into the wood and steel top with a cloth regularly to make them both last longer.
Boiled linseed oil makes the wood more water resistant and continues its protection even when the wooden handle expands and contracts.
If the hammer head of your scutch chisel has mushroomed, grind off the edges of the mushroom to prevent future damage.
To remove mushroom effect on a scutch chisel:
You will need:
Bench grinder
Step 1 – Hold chisel against grinder
Hold the hammer head of the chisel against the wheel of a bench grinder.
Step 2 – Turn chisel and apply pressure
Turn the chisel with one hand and apply pressure on the chisel with the other.
Step 3 – Grind left and right
Grind left and right across the bench grinder’s face to keep the surface of the hammer head flat.