Reed Making Supplies

Reed-Making Knife:

A good, sharp knife is essential to making and adjusting your reeds. Purchase the following knife (whichever is your dominant hand) from Harvard Double Reeds. We have the sharpening system available in the reed room.

Students need to purchase the following items to learn to make reeds. All the links are suggestions EXCEPT the knife. Please buy the knife using the link provided.

Oboe Cane:

If you are new to reed making, purchase gouged AND shaped cane. If you have been making reed for 1+ years, purchase only gouged cane.

I use Alliaud cane religiously. In my opinion, it is a good balance between hard and soft cane. You are welcome to try different companies or price points.

Here are some link options:

Reed Cases:

Student reed cases should hold at least 10 oboe reeds. They also need a case to hold at least 3 English horn reeds.

Tying Thread:

Tying thread should be made of Nylon or Silk – FF, EE, or F gauge.

Staples:

Staples are metal tubes wrapped in cork. The cane is tied to the staple.

Students should have a minimum of 10 oboe staples and 5 English Horn staples.

The oboe staples must be 47 mm and made of silver. English horn Staples must be 27 mm, and made of silver. Do not purchase staples with synthetic cork.

I use the staples available at the links below, but you are welcome to purchase different types if you use the above parameters.

Ruler:

Be sure the ruler you purchase is metal with finely etched lines.

Cutting Block:

Cutting blocks are used for clipping the reed.

Mandrel:

A mandrel is used to aid in tying cane onto the staple.

Plaques:

Plaques are inserted between the 2 blades of cane to aid in scraping on each blade. Purchase a flat, silver, plaque with rounded edges.

Razor Blades

Razor blades are used to shape the cane and clip the reed.