Required Reed-Making Tools
This is a list of everything a student will need to make reeds, if a student does not intend to make reed I still suggest getting the bare minimum to adjust reeds, this would be a holding mandrel, knife, and a plaque. Beginner students will not need any of these supplies.
Mandrels & Drying Rack
1 holding, and one forming... an option is to purchase the mandrel with removable tips and a drying rack which is highly recommended.
Suggested holding mandrel: Rigotti Bassoon Mandrel - $24 from Midwest Musical Imports
https://www.mmimports.com/product/rigotti-bassoon-mandrel/
Suggested forming mandrel and drying rack set: Cornelison Bassoon Forming Pin and Mandrel Set
https://www.lcdoublereeds.com/shop-online/bassoon-forming-pin-and-mandrel-set
Low cost option for forming mandrel and drying rack: Fox Bassoon Long Forming Mandrel
https://www.mmimports.com/product/fox-bassoon-long-forming-mandrel/
Knife
Double-hollow ground style reed knife. Optional - single bevel knife (used for heavy reed work in early stages of scraping, though this can be done with a double-hollow ground style reed knife which is also better suited to finer scraping). This is one of the most important tools and thus is one of the most important tools to spend more money on. Many other reed making tools can be bought cheaper without compromising the reed makers ability to make good reeds, unlike the reed knife.
Suggested: Jende or Landwell reed knives. Jende makes extremely high quality reeds knives that hold their edge for a very long time. They offer three types of reed knife, the Original Jende Reed Knife, the 15k Jende Reed Knife (This is the knife I use most often), and the Student Jende Reed Knife. The original and 15k knives are both extremely good knives, though the 15k is sharpened to a final grit of #15,000, making this one of the sharpest reed knifes available. Landwell is another extremely good brand of reed knife and is my second most used knife. These knives comes with three hardness options, I suggest Medium, this will give a good balance edge retention and ease of sharpening.
https://jendeindustries.com/music.html?p=1
https://www.mmimports.com/product/landwell-double-hollow-ground-knives/
Low cost option: Chiarugi Double-Hollow-Ground Reed Knives
https://www.mmimports.com/product/medir-double-hollow-ground-reed-knives/
Plaques
Purchase several... having one or two contra plaques is also a good idea for tip scraping (contra plaque also work great on little bassoon reeds. Plastic plaques are much better, as they don't dull knives
suggested: plastic plaques from Midwest Musical Imports
Reamer
spiral edge reamer, this is not the most necessary of the reed tools especially for reed makers not making reeds outside of lessons.
suggested:
Wire
22 gauge soft brass wire
This is a material I will provide all of my students when at their lessons, though it is wise to have all required materials at home in case of emergencies!
suggested: buy from
Thread
Wrapping thread is optional! I do not use thread at all in making my reeds, this step is purely aesthetic. If desired, nylon or cotton embroidery floss works great. Through forming thread or string is needed, heavy cotton thread or round cotton shoelaces will work for forming the reed. Available at craft stores.
Forming thread is a material I will provide all of my students when at their lessons, though it is wise to have all required materials at home in case of emergencies!
Duco Cement
buy several tubes from MM or FM!! (or Hirons)
This is a material I will provide all of my students when at their lessons, though it is wise to have all required materials at home in case of emergencies!
Pliers
Pliers are another tool that I highly recommend students spend extra money on to get the best for the job.
suggested: Rieger Pliers - These pliers are perfect for reed making reeds and will save you from needing to buy other tools down the line.
https://www.mmimports.com/product/rieger-pliers/
End Nippers
straight across end nippers - for those looking for the best tool for this job a tip cutter is also an option, though this option is quite a bit more expensive it is completely worth it in the long run.
suggested: 6 inch end nippers from MM (or hardware store)
Easel
you can either purchase a bassoon easel from most of the stores mentioned above, or purchase a 1 in diameter dowel rod from a craft store.
Razor Blades
single-edge razor blades, available from hardware store.
This is a material I will provide all of my students when at their lessons, though it is wise to have all required materials at home in case of emergencies!
Sand Paper
wet/dry sandpaper in 400 and 600 grit. Available from hardware store.
This is a material I will provide all of my students when at their lessons, though it is wise to have all required materials at home in case of emergencies!
Ruler
small ruler that measures in metric. Get this anywhere.
Cane
Cane can be ordered through me when I make large orders of cane for myself, though if needed to purchase cane yourself stores will typically minimum order of 10 sticks.
I only use rigotti cane, I highly suggest that all my students play with rigotti, though there are options that are slightly cheaper (and are at a lower quality)