 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2023-02-10 09:35
I began to wonder if Chapstick could be used as a possible cork grease substitute. So, I used my search engine to find out what its ingredients were and instead I found a very interesting article. (IMHO)
I found the following article to be quite informative:
https://cleanmyinstrument.com/cork-grease/
Post Edited (2023-02-25 21:24)
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Author: NOLA Ken
Date: 2023-02-11 01:57
Interesting article. When I returned to playing a few years ago I read the discussions about the problems with petroleum-based cork greases and decided to avoid that route. I tried lanolin from the drug store for awhile with great success, but the tube is larger than fits comfortably in my case and it tends to be a bit messy. I have been using that well-known Doc's product for several years but have become dissatisfied with it, as the corks seem to dry out between uses and I have to apply it every time I assemble a clarinet. No residual moisture or slipperiness seems to ever remain. Recently I tried Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, since I had some laying around, and found it very satisfactory. It's ingredients are all organic, it's a bit slipperier than the Doc's stuff, and it seems to keep the cork a bit more moist in between sessions. It contains beeswax, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, peppermint oil, lanolin, tocopherol (vitamin E or a relative), rosemary leaf extract, soybean oil, canola oil, and limonene. I've not noticed any tendency for it to go rancid, although some of those ingredients may have to potential to do so. I'm curious if anyone here can comment on any problems with any of those ingredients in terms of effecting the integrity of the cork or glue bond.
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2023-02-11 05:01
I'm surprised they gave petroleum jelly a fair shake - but then still ended up saying that it wasn't worth the risk.
I bought a Leblanc my sophomore year of high school. It came with a tube of petroleum jelly in a metal tube like toothpaste used to come in. The tube fit perfectly into the accessory tray of the case, so I kept it there and used a tiny bit whenever necessary.
It's the only cork treatment that clarinet had during the 20 years or so that I played the instrument. The jelly always seemed a tiny bit thicker than the stuff you'd buy in the tub, though...maybe just because it was ancient?
Anyway - never had any trouble from using it. Cheap, and worked great.
I've used normal cork grease since I switched to other instruments - mainly because their cases didn't accommodate the tube.
Fuzzy
;^)>>>
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Author: Sarton
Date: 2023-02-11 13:47
I du use Vaseline for many years to my full satisfaction.
No problems whatsoever.
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Author: StanD
Date: 2023-02-14 01:05
My go-to cork grease is “Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula”. It’s available in many drug stores (especially in the big pharmacy chains) in small tubs of 3.5 oz or the slightly more economical 4.4 size. I fill little cork grease tubs, keep one in every clarinet case and smear a minute amount in all four sockets (not on the corks). It’s effective for 2-3 assemblages. Any residue on my finger(s) gets rubbed onto the back of my hands; good for skin and smells nice, too. Quick, efficient economical and tidy.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2023-02-16 18:55
StanD wrote:
> I fill little cork grease tubs, keep one
> in every clarinet case and smear a minute amount in all four
> sockets (not on the corks).
Why not on the corks?
Karl
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Author: StanD
Date: 2023-02-16 19:58
As stated: Quick, efficient economical and tidy. Add: “habit”. No problem with putting grease on cork. To each their own.
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Author: Jarmo Hyvakko
Date: 2023-02-17 14:28
Why on earth anyone needs to substitute cork grease? The cheapest ones are equally cheap as cheapest lip balm. And i am sure that Burt's bees lip balm is more expensive than for example the cork grease by a certain french reed factory that is excellent and costs about 5€ and thus is one of the most expensive cork greases.
Jarmo Hyvakko, Principal Clarinet, Tampere Philharmonic, Finland
Post Edited (2023-02-17 14:29)
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Author: crazyclari
Date: 2023-02-20 04:13
Heres a concept, dont use any:)
The cork grease ends up picking up grit and becomes a grinding paste that wears down the tenon. From my experience properly attached corks without cork grease last up to 20 years. I would rather see the cork as a frangible asset than wear the joint tenons down. E.g. 40+ year old tenons on my older clarinet are unmarked/unworn.
Cheers
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Author: alanporter
Date: 2023-02-20 07:17
Oh yes, lots of advice about different greases. Well, I don't use any sort of grease or wax. I lick my finger and wipe it around the inside 0f the tenon cavity. It works perfectly, and doesn't cost me a cent. The corks remain perfect.
Alan
tiaroa@shaw.ca
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2023-02-21 08:17
My thanks to all who have responded.
I must admit that I was taken aback by the responses of crazyclari and alanporter. After doing more research, it appears that my mind has been "programmed" to believe that cork grease must either always be used or at least used intermittently when assembling a clarinet.
However, when I read that cork does absorb cork grease, and that if not wiped off after taking apart the instrument, the cork continues to absorb the cork grease until a point is reached wherein the cork grease will go down all the way to the tenon/cork cement and begin to dissolve it thus destroying the structural integrity of the adhesive. I was always under the impression that cork doesn't absorb anything. Well, what can I say other than I was wrong.
It would appear that assembling a clarinet without any cork grease would require a certain amount of cork sanding so that a proper fit is obtained.
Here is what Yamaha has to say about Caring for the clarinet:
https://www.yamaha.com/en/musical_instrument_guide/clarinet/maintenance/maintenance002.html
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Author: crazyclari
Date: 2023-02-23 09:54
I especially liked the suggestion of rendered yak fat in the first link😀 Too much work for me, id have to raise a yak.
Thanks for being so open minded Dan. Sure if the Tenon cork is too tight, not good. I have just had a burst of buying clarinets and cleaned all the sludge of the Tenon's. Not a problem putting the horns together with what looks like the original corks. Some of the corks on my horns are the originals. You likely don't want to hear my thoughts on oiling a clarinet😀
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Author: Connor1700
Date: 2023-02-23 17:26
I'm surprised this is even a problem for anyone. This is like asking if water is a good substitute for gasoline in your car! If this is an issue, just make sure you have cork grease in your case or gig bag just like you make sure you have gas in your car! (I'm saying this all in jest.... I enjoy the conversations, banter, and debates on this site.)
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