> Esther or anyone who has taken Dunbar's class, how does he shape his
> scorp?
>
We were taught to shape it as a knife edge, or as close as you can get it to
one; that is, not a chisel-edge.  Fairly flat on both sides, with only the
slightest outside polished bezel to be able to sever the chip at the end of
the cut.  Hold the scorp in a vise and sharpen the inside with sand (glass,
Jeff) paper on a big dowel.  Cut with the grain as much as possible,
skewing/slewing as needed when the grain gets tricky.

BTW, drawknives, likewise, are sharpened with knife edges, as opposed to
chisel edges.  You'll be amazed at how well it cuts.

I realize this is a point on which reasonable craftspersons differ, like
shave horses and tails-first (g).  I've used scorps and drawknives sharpened
both ways, and I'm sold on the knife edge.  I'll defer to Dave Wachnicki, my
personal expert and sharpening hero, to correct my mistakes and fill in any
gaps in what I've said.

Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving,
Croxton
full of Chesapeake Bay oysters