Copper vs Stainless Steel Tongue Scraper
Written and reviewed by The Kriya Yogi · Updated 3 October 2026
The short answer
Our shop carries a pure copper tongue scraper because it's the material the classical morning-kriya tradition uses and it stays smooth against the tongue with simple upkeep. Stainless steel is a widely available, lower-maintenance alternative that many people also use well — we just don't stock it, so this comparison is here to help you choose the right material, not just the right product.
What matters for this
- Material
- A: Pure copper · B: Stainless steel (not stocked here)
- Shape
- A: U-shaped, approx. 17 cm · B: Typically also U-shaped, varies by maker
- Upkeep
- A: Needs occasional cleaning with lemon and salt or tamarind to restore shine · B: Generally wipes clean, resists tarnish
- Tradition
- A: Used in classical morning kriya practice · B: Modern, widely sold alternative
- Price (our shop)
- A: $39.95, six handle styles, case included · B: Not currently stocked
- Included
- A: Scraper plus slim metal travel case · B: Varies by seller
Why the tradition specifies copper
Jihva prakshalana, tongue scraping, is traditionally done with copper rather than other metals, and that's the material we chose for our scraper. Copper has a particular smoothness against the tongue and a long history in this specific morning practice. Stainless steel is a later, modern substitution that many people reach for because it's cheap, widely available and needs almost no upkeep.
Upkeep: the real trade-off
Copper will tarnish and dull with use and needs occasional cleaning — a rub with lemon and salt or tamarind paste restores the shine, as with any copper object. Stainless steel resists tarnishing almost entirely and can usually just be rinsed and dried after use. If low-maintenance is your priority above everything else, that's the strongest argument for steel; if you don't mind a small ritual of upkeep, copper's tradition and feel are the draw.
Feel and edge over time
Both materials can hold a smooth scraping edge when new. We recommend replacing any tongue scraper, copper or steel, if the edge ever becomes rough or pitted, since a worn edge is less comfortable and less effective regardless of material. Copper is a softer metal than steel, so it's worth checking the edge periodically rather than assuming it stays identical for years.
What we actually sell
We stock the copper version only, in six handle styles with a slim travel case included, because it fits the classical-practice focus of our shop and we can speak accurately to its specifications. If you'd rather go with stainless steel specifically for the lower upkeep, that's a reasonable choice, just one you'll need to source from elsewhere.
Choose something else if…
- Anyone who wants a zero-maintenance scraper and would rather avoid occasional copper polishing.
- Buyers seeking a stainless steel scraper specifically — we don't currently stock one.