Hand scraping floors

[PA floor guy]

Anyone have any info for this art.  I do floors, and I'm getting into this. I have been buying old Stanley 282/292 scrapers and using them for floor scrapers, there original intent actually.  Look forward to any info.    Sam

 

[rdesigns]

You'll be amazed at how well they work. The very first thing you need is
a good quality mill smooth file, like a 10" Nicholson, and learn how to
sharpen the blades. Keep the file in your leg pocket as you work and resharpen
frequently. It takes only 2 or 3 strokes to renew the edge once you get
the feel.

 

[PA floor guy]

I have done a few, I want my own style though. I don't do a lot of cross grain scraping. I like a clean worn look. Not rustic. What scraper are you using.  I have basically made my own. You are correct, sharpening is the key for sure. Hardwood industry makes a nice scraper, and blades, and a really nice sharpener.  I just can't get past the price. 

 

[rdesigns]

I have used many brands of scrapers--Red Devil, Stanley and others I can't remember. The main thing for me is that the steel be hard enough to keep an edge, but soft enough to sharpen with a file. They all work fine.
Some of the carbide blade scrapers are good, too, but I find a really sharp carbon steel blade gives the best performance.
I also really like a stiff-bladed putty knife that I just file-sharpen to a 90-degree edge, without trying to form a burr on the edge like is done with cabinet scrapers. It gets into hard-to-reach corners.