Getting ready to drop some $$ on my first set of wood turning tools and I've got everything figured out except my scraper.  I'm primarily interested in turning bowls and could use some advice on which one of these three I should get.

 

In order, the below pictures are:

 

1) Hurricane M2 Cryo 1" (x3/8") Heavy Duty Bowl Finishing Scraper....$114

2) Hurricane M42 Cryo 3/4" Bowl Finishing Scraper .......................................$82

3) Hurricane M2 Cryo 1" Round Nose Scraper ....................................................$76

 

At first I was thinking of getting the cheaper 1" round nose and grind / sharpen so that it has the profile of a bowl scraper.  Is it ok to do this, or should I go for one of the other tools that are actual bowl scrapers?  And if so, what's the advantage / functionality of the heavy duty scraper vs. the smaller 3/4" one?

 

 

You can reshape it. I prefer a heavier/thicker one, but that's just me. 

 

Maybe @Gerald can pop by and provide some additional information. He does more bowls than I do.

I like Lew prefer a heavier scraper. The weight seems to give me more control. Take a look at Mike Thompson's lathe chisels. I am finding them to hold an edge far better than anything else I have.

Paul

Any good high speed scraper will work well.  I have scrapers like shown but I actually usually grab my Robert Sorby multi tip scraper.  So I guess it comes down to preference.  The Sorby tip is a smaller radius and I feel the less contact area makes it work better.  I like the rounded shaft too.  It makes for easier positioning for me.  It also has various tips that can be had including a beading tip.  

 

          

Take a look at D-Way.  I have a couple of these and really like them. 

https://d-waytools.com/neg-rake-scrapers-2/

 

.40

Any scraper will work for final finish but for hollowing you will need a heavier scraper. I do very little hollowing with scraper, but it is excellent for endgrain. I have several scrapers with my 1 1/4 round nose negative rake as my favorite, but not for hollowing. The square nose is good for outside bowl leveling out the ripples if you have them. To me the side ground is most useful inside a bowl.

      I have a 1/4 inch and a 3/4 but those are just for fine detail cleanup.

      Now for the expert Reed Gray aka robo hippy.

 

In Reed Gray's video pay particular attention at 20:30 where he talks about tool presentation and again at 24:30 where he talks about the importance of the amount of the cutting edge presented at any given time.  Both very important when using scrapers.  Keep in mind that he is a production turner and went this way for speed and he does this mainly in wet wood which almost always easier to turn with any tool.  Physical strength is also needed for this type of turning, watch how well he holds the scraper so it doesn't get away from him.  It is a very good video and as always practice is key.

Thanks for the advice everybody.  I wrote Doug Thompson and he explained his steel is 10% Vandium vs. the 2% in the Hurricane M2s, so even though they're a bit more expensive I'm sure they're worth the extra $.

 

Any idea how D-Way's steel would compare to Thompson's?

 

I'm writing this before watching robo hippie (v good name btw) but I'll give it a good look through first thing.