 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2013-01-03 19:06
Happy new year, all!
Does anyone use a guillotine for clipping tips instead of a knife and block? I have always had trouble clipping my tips straight, and I swear I am getting worse!
They are expensive, but I thought it could be a good present for a birthday...so I'd like to hear from anyone who has used one.
Failing that...willing to take tips (haha) on how to not cut my tips at an angle. Doesn't seem to matter how careful I am! I am happy with almost every aspect of my reed making now...except this one.
Rachel
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Author: mjfoboe
Date: 2013-01-03 21:31
I have a rieger tip cutter.
WOW .... .well worth the cost!
Mark
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Author: Wes
Date: 2013-01-03 22:50
A single edged razor blade works great for me and it gives you visibility of how much you are cutting off. Buy them in boxes of 100 for less than $10 at the hardware store.
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2013-01-03 23:16
Wes, I use a razor blade as well. But it seems to not matter how carefully I think I've lined it up, it's never perfectly straight.
I envy those I have watched simply pick up a reed, place it on a cutting block and chop off the tip perfectly with a reed knife and not a second glance. And I am a papercrafter as well, you think I would be a good judge of these things! :P
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Author: mjfoboe
Date: 2013-01-03 23:56
You get what you pay for!
With a Rieger Tip Cutter ... you can easily shave micro cuts from the tip in a straight line and with one blade slightly shorter than the other.
It is a precision instrument ..... Yes quite pricey! But a one in a lifetime investment.
How much time and aggravation and expense over 20 plus years ... I wonder?
Mark
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Author: Oboe Craig
Date: 2013-01-04 03:32
I get good results with knife and billot by placing the reed so the tip points at me Vs. away from me.
Seeing the perpendicular alignment of reed and knife becomes easy in time and deciding to cut evenly or offset is also easier that way.
I can cut a fraction of a hair's width of cane using this approach. Sometimes only the spit off the end of the reed is the right amount.
Reed tip is way out near the edge of the block on the rounded edge portion and that makes it easier to cut an offset when I desire that.
I usually desire that.
-Cheers....
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2013-01-04 04:01
I second trying to use the razor and cutting block with the reed tip facing you. Sometimes cutting blocks are too rounded at the top. I've heard it could help to sand down the block some to make it flat or flatter so that it may cut more evenly. Worth a try before investing a lump sum.
Drew S.
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2013-01-05 17:53
I don't make enough reeds to justify the cost of such a machine.
If I do not TAKE TIME and give my full attention, then my reed tips tend to be cut crookedly as well.
The best remedy I've found for this problem is to take as much time as possible to line up the chop before it's done, use a sharp knife (I would need a razor blade with a handle due to finger/hand nerve problems), and make as vertical cut as possible. Unless I want an offset, then I would angle the knife blade slightly.
I like the idea of the straight-edge clippers, though, and may look into that.
GoodWinds
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Author: johnt
Date: 2013-01-05 19:47
I went first cabin & bought a reed tip guillotine from & by Udo Heng at one of the double reed conferences some years ago. I use it almost daily. I had a continuing battle with razor blade & block, never achieving a straight cut. I do use a surgical razor blade to trim the tip; I often take off less than spit in nano-increments, to paraphrase Craig…at least Udo's magic machine helps to keep me initially honest. It has an Anguish horn jig which can be interchanged with the oboe jig. Worth every penny, imho. He has a demo of this device on Utube.
Happy & Prosperous New Year, everyone!!!
Best,
john
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Author: leigthom
Date: 2013-01-11 20:56
Bought a Pisoni guillotine many years ago. Thoroughly recommended. It takes seconds to get a clean cut off the tip of a reed. The guillotine is also adjustable and usable for d'amore, cor anglais, bassoonand contra bassoon reeds.
Much better than my old battle with knives,razor blades and blocks!!
Leigh
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