I am very grateful to be able to share this incredibly helpful sharpening guide with website visitors. Thank you to Daryl Caswell for writing this amazing little reed knife sharpening guide, the oboe community really appreciates you for sharing your great knowledge of sharpening with us. I am especially fortunate to have been given permission by Daryl Caswell and Barbara Schneider to scan and post a PDF version of this book. I hope that you find this manual as helpful and enlightening as I did when I first stumbled upon it years ago.
Printed copies of the book are available through ALakotareeds.com by following this link.
1. Introduction
This guide provides an analytical, scientific approach to sharpening reed knives. By understanding the metallurgy of your knife and the physics of the scraping process, you can adapt your sharpening technique to different cane qualities, humidity levels, and stages of reed making.
2. Key Sharpening Concepts
Understanding these fundamental terms is crucial for successful sharpening:
* Rake Angle: The angle at which the scraping burr cuts into the reed.
* Chip Thickness: The amount of cane removed per stroke.
* Scraping Force: The downward and horizontal pressure applied to the knife.
* Lift Angle: The angle at which the spine of the knife is raised from the stone.
* Burr Root Thickness: The thickness at the base of the burr, which determines burr strength and flexibility.
3. The Sharpening Process (Double Hollow Ground)
| Step | Purpose | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Set the first angle (for completely dull knives) | Fine diamond stone |
| 2 | Form a rough burr | Fine diamond stone |
| 3 | Smooth the burr | Fine India oil stone |
| 4 | Stiffen the burr | Fine India oil stone |
| 5-6 | Remove/Refine the burr | Fine India oil stone |
| 7-8 | Set the scraping profile | Fine India oil stone |
| 9 | Final cleaning stroke | Fine India oil stone |
4. Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely Cause | Suggested Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Burr crumbles | Burr breaks instead of bending (root too thick) | Reduce root thickness by grinding on a diamond stone |
| Edge skates/chatters | Improper rake angle | Repeat refinement steps with lighter pressure |
| Edge wears quickly | Root thickness too small | Wear edge down, then restart sharpening process |
i’d like to read this book.