Tim, from an old post of mine........ (original here.......
https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=75691.msg751768#msg751768 )
After initial shaping with files, etc., I scrape most of the surface of brass and some steel parts. I use the non sharpened edge of a utility blade. This is a blade being used to scrape brass. I use the same tool for brass, wood, and steel. I stone the two 45 degree edges to a sharp 90 and use both sides of those. Scraping a large butt plate takes about 30 minutes. Scraping a whole stock to get out file, rasp, or carving tool marks takes about an hour...more if there is a lot of intricate carving to scrape around. Then I use sandpaper where ever necessary or useful.
Here I am scraping a butt plate with the angled edge of a box cutter blade. It takes off brass more rapidly and more smoothly than a file and leaves a finish that does not take too much more work with the abrasive paper or sticks. I do the inside of the trigger guard bow like this as well. If the part is investment cast, I can start right in with the scraper. If it is sand cast, I usually hit all the surfaces with a file to knock down the roughness, and then start with the scraper.
Wood comes off really fast and I have to be careful not to take too much.
As I said, I scrape some steel parts as well. You just have to refresh the edge of the scraper much more often.