 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: rgombine
Date: 2012-11-07 07:00
Does anyone know where I could find a billot with a completely flat surface? Most have a slightly curve top to them. I own a flat one but can't remember where I got it. I am always afraid that one day it will roll off under some riser and I will be out of luck!
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Author: jhoyla
Date: 2012-11-07 10:22
Buy a curved billot and sand it down using coarse, then fine sandpaper. You can then rub some beeswax into the new surface and polish it if you like.
I periodically sand down my chopping blocks as the surface gets scored and rough. I try and keep a very slight convex curve, though, to ensure that I clip all the way across.
J.
Post Edited (2012-11-07 10:22)
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Author: rgombine
Date: 2012-11-07 10:51
Yeah. I thought about that , but would really prefer to buy something ready made.
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Author: rgombine
Date: 2012-11-07 13:15
And it interesting that you are able to take advantage of the convexity of the top. For whatever reason, the curve just makes my tips uneven!
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Author: jhoyla
Date: 2012-11-07 13:53
You need to place the reed tip exactly at the center of the billot, with the knife exactly vertical and at perfect right-angles to the tip. This can be difficult to do by eye, which is why some reedmakers prefer a guillotine.
If you prefer one blade longer than another you can flatten the tip against the billot and angle the staple upwards slightly. Hard to achieve this using a guillotine!
I have seen some oboists clip the tip at an angle but I have no idea how this can be achieved accurately.
J
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-11-07 14:16
Howarth make wide diameter cutting blocks with a fairly flat top to them - they are very slightly convex but definitely not as domed as some on the market:
http://www.howarth.uk.com/pic.aspx?pic=./PICTURES/Accs/AccXLCuttingBlock.jpg&pid=43148
If you prefer a completely flat top, then lay abrasive paper on glass or marble or any other suitable flat surface (use several grades of abrasive from coarse to smooth and finish off by buffing) and run the cutting block back and forth over it or in a circular motion until the top of the block is ground completely flat.
Or see if anyone can turn you one from scratch if they can source rosewood or grenadilla to make one from. Don't use cocobolo as it has a very strong taste and can cause an allergic reaction.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2012-11-07 14:23)
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Author: rgombine
Date: 2012-11-07 14:37
b/c the reed itself is curved and not flat, if I try and cut a very small amt off the tip using a curved billot, the knife sometimes doesn't catch the corners and I end up with a smiley faced reed. Cute, but not ideal. If I want to achieve a straight cut, I have to remove more from the tip than I want to w/ each clip.
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Author: rgombine
Date: 2012-11-07 15:19
Interestingly, this is the one I ordered based on its description. Unfortunately, RDG had a change in suppliers and didn't update their website. So while it is described as a billot w/ a flat top, as I sit here looking at it the block is decidedly convex.
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