How many reedmakers out there “flatten” the slip with a chisel in preparation for gouging rather than just gouging it straight away?
What do you think are the merits and drawbacks of each method.
I always flatten first ( i was taught that way) so to me its second nature. Recently i’ve been meeting and talking with lots of reedmakers and its been truly fascinating to see so many varied methods produce many fine reeds that were well behaved and bascically done everything a reed should do.
Its great to see and hear what works for different people, a lot of information can be learned this way.
Since I tend to adjust the slip parameters based on stiffness (as Benedict discusses in the Heart of the Instrument DVD), flattening the slip first helps. That’s where I assess the slip thickness, cane stiffness, etc.
I also find that it’s easier for me to get an even gouge, in particular even slip edges, when starting from a pre-flattened slip.
I have actually seen this first hand and gave it a go myself. Made a successful reed but alot of manual effort is needed.
I believe that paddy keenan is a mostly a “sandpapering” sort of dude.
My thoughts exactly bill the flattening reveals alot of information about a particular piece of cane.
However many sucessful reeds have been made using a total gouge method.
Anyone out there who has tried both, would like to argue the case against using a chisel or some other means to flatten a piece of cane?
One trick I picked up from Allan Moller’s video on reed-making was to use a small block plane to flatten the slip. Much easier and more accurate if you are as ham-fisted as I am with a chisel.
