The Branch Scraper is a decadent brass and timber tool for the bread or pasta maker in your life (as a dough cutter). It’s also great as a bench scraper.
I just love the way the branch lovingly cradles and wraps around this tough 1mm brass! To summarise the process, I use a template to cut the shapes out of 1mm brass, and the branch handle. I do spend quite a bit of time finding the perfect branch for this application, some with a nice curve, some nice and straight. All are chosen for how they feel in the hand. I then spend time shaping and sanding the edges of the brass, before slicing the branch in half to accommodate the blade. I then drill, glue and use brass rods to secure the branch so it stays in place for all types of baking and cooking applications!
NB: Price is for 1 Branch Scraper, approximate size is 15cm wide by 10cm high, depending on the branch characteristics.
Pictured here are various timber branches including gum, lilly pilly and more. To be honest, mostly they are mystery branches which I make sure are fully dry before use. This can involve quite a process of drying for a couple of years beforehand! I use whatever branches are to hand that will give the overall knife interest and character.
The brass is finished with a thorough 1200 grit scuffing, and then the whole scraper is placed in a lovely bath of food grade mineral oil and left to soak overnight, before drying for a couple of days and buffing to a shine. I then use my spoon butter (coconut oil and beeswax) as an extra protective layer on the brass blade, due to the following.
Care for your brass scraper/cutter: Brass is a metal made of primarily copper and zinc, and will tarnish and discolour, especially when exposed to coastal conditions. It can also react to oils in the skin, and various ingredients in food. To keep your Branch Scraper looking great, when you notice a haze or spots on the brass, you can sand with 1200 grit sandpaper in circular motions, cleaning with hand sanitiser or alcohol in between to regularly wipe your working surface and your hands. When the brass is back to lustre, put a small amount of spoon butter (coconut oil and beeswax) and rub it over the surface in small circles, then buff with a microfibre cloth.
Care for your Branch Scraper: Wash with warm water and detergent when needed. Never place in the dishwasher. Dishwasher = sadness :( From time to time you can re-sand the timber with a light grade sandpaper (for example 320 grit), and re-oil using a food safe and non-oxidising oil (for example food grade mineral oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, or my spoon butter!).
