Choosing a Reed Knife

Choosing a Reed Knife

Choosing the right knife for reed scraping is essential for both achieving a good sound and working with comfort and precision. There are several key factors to consider: blade type, bevel angle, and steel hardness.

    • Bevel Knives

      Highly recommended by many musicians as a primary knife. Ideal for general scraping, this is a reliable all-purpose knife. Its thickness and bevel angle make it easier to control without digging into the reed.

    • Wedge Knives

      These knives have a sharper bevel angle allowing for greater precision. These knives are great for detailed, fine scraping and an excellent addition to your knife collection.

    • Double Hollow Ground Knives

      These knives have the sharpest bevel angle and are ideal for highly precise finishing touches. The curved bevel keeps the edge sharp after many sharpenings.

Steel Hardness

Steel hardness is often measured using the Rockwell C scale (HRC). This affects several qualities of the knives and should be considered when making a decision as to which knife to add to your repertoire of tools.

    • Harder steel (higher HRC)
      Knives made of harder steel
      - offer better edge retention
      - are more difficult to sharpen

    • Softer steel (lower HRC)
      Knives made of softer steel
      - lose their edge more quickly
      - are easier to sharpen