To my eye it looks like Rob Cosman and Ron Bontz make elegant tools designed explicitly for this purpose, to be used with the pride of someone who appreciates a well made tool. As I just happened upon this idea from the perspective of a dovetail newcomer, I wanted to explore any way to get this task done, perhaps without the expense. But now that I've taken a closer look at Cosman's tool, and a close look at Bontz's, I can see the appeal of either one. The influence of Tage Frid lives.
Others, like Michael Fross here, seem to have the skill to fashion their own beautiful tools. And then there's Derek the Resourceful, whom we all revere. I am not one of those. My nephew works in metal so I might ask him to see about a brass back for my scraper blade. But for now, it's the little rectangular blade and light hammer taps (making sure to clamp the sides first). I've spent too much collecting the toolkit already. I'm just glad the idea has been put in my head. It's time to make some joints.
By the way, Rob C. says his tool is the thickness of the kerf, not the plate, to avoid creating a diagonal shelf.
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Originally Posted by steven c newman
There were three versions of that putty knife. extra stiff, semi stiff and flexible. It was really just a matter of thickness. I would sharpen my stiff one for chisel work as well. I dare say I ruined a few tapping them with a hammer. 
