Melissa -

The strapping I mentioned comes (or came) in a variety of weights. The stuff you mentioned is possibly still available if you can find some place that's recently unbundled something, and either persuade someone to let you grab it or do a bit of "dumpster diving."

The kind I have used in the past was more like 3/8 inch wide, but plastic has replaced that for most uses, so I haven't' seen the lighter stuff recently.

The original strap has rounded edges to avoid cutting people when the straps are handled. To make a scraper you need to cut a flat edge, so that there's a sharp 90 degree "edge" on each side of each side. That will be difficult without a good grinder or belt sander.

The scrapers of the kind linked up above are bought individually. To use them successfully you do need to (eventually) learn to sharpen one to freshen up the edges. Many people use a grinder, but my preference has been a belt sander.

Most "old timers" around her kept (keep) scrap window glass specifically for use as scrapers. A "fresh snapped" edge is about as good as you can get for taking a few splinters off the hoe handle. Those I knew who used this tool would tell you that you'd probably cut yourself worse trying to tape the edges you weren't using than just "gettin' on with it;" but for those not experienced in the art (young thumbs heal quickly - older ones don't - which is how you learned "safely" in the old days) a decent pair of leather work gloves would be advisable. Horsehide is probably best, and is the preference in sheetmetal shops where sharp edges are everywhere. Some "gardening gloves" would probably be suitable, and should be easy to find if you can't find a pair of "White Mules."

Do consider that by the time you try all the "cheap ways" you likely will end up dribbling out more $$$$ than you'd spend for a suitable little "palm sander" or similar. Ones available now are much improved over what I've got at hand, since mine are mostly 40 years old; but even Dremel (or Black & Decker, etc) has some really cute ones now that actually work, and you should be able to find something (even if you have to assume a disguise and sneak into Wally World) for $20 to $30 quite easily, or maybe for less if you catch a sale.

A light weight sander isn't absolutely assured of getting the job done a lot quicker; but you won't be developing "rassler biceps" doing it. A rule of woodworking is that you don't cut stuff off - you "persuade" the parts you don't want to get up and leave.

John