A new Oboe Reed Knife and Sharpening Stone

[lennic95]

Are you left handed or is it the video again? It's really hard to find left-handed knives...

[joethemusician]

@lennic95 i'm right handed (LOL) but my previous teacher is left handed!

[mrbeligos]

as a knife user, and collector, I could make LOTS of money off all you guys sharpening knives. regardless what brand they are...

[oboeisme]

Oh my gosh, I know EXACTLY what you're saying about the Edmund Neilson knife. I was sharpening my own just before I saw this video, lol :D I'm trying to look into eventually getting a better knife. Right now, this one is hard work to keep sharp enough and I have to sharpen it quite a few times per reed in order to get decent quality. I suppose I should really look into getting a new knife :) Thanks for the enlightenment! haha

[logicallyrational]

No, I have not used a sharpening steel on my tools, the same way I wouldn't use a sharpening steel on my strait razor. It is the wrong tool for the application. I am sure Eugene Isotov does indeed get fine results from the steel, I believe he would notice better results with a leather strop. It is a better tool for the level of sharpening we are trying to achieve. And yes, I know what I am talking about, I am the best knife sharpener in my studio. This subject is a secondary expertise for me.

[logicallyrational]

You may be supprised by how many people graduate from Eastman and have no idea how to sharpen a knife. But that is neither here nore there. If you feel comfortable raking high grade steel against low grade steel, then more power to you. What orchestras do you play with if you don't mind me asking.

[joethemusician]

@logicallyrational Have you actually tried to use the Jende sharpening tool? Are you sure you know what you're talking about regrading high-grade versus low-grade steel? Not only am I sure that it works, but i know many successful oboists that are using this system and using it well. check out Eugene Izotov's (Chicago Symphony Orchestra principal oboe) web page, he HIGHLY suggests this very specific tool as it is made with "high quality" steel.

[logicallyrational]

For reference, I study at te Eastman school of music. I have been at this for a while, and I have done it the wrong way enough times to know when I can save someone some time. I just trying to be helpful, restoreing a knife is a pain in the ass.

[joethemusician]

@logicallyrational and since both of my oboe teachers also studied at the Eastman school of music, and have jobs performing in orchestras as well as teaching at major universities, i'm going to have to agree with them instead of someone that is just studying. Sorry, and I do appreciate your opinion, but I know that what my established teachers have had me do works and i'll take their advice over yours any day of the week.

[logicallyrational]

The steel is for knife maintainence, and it's really easy to dull a knife on steel, that application is better for kitchen knives than reed knives, which are precision implements. A leather strop is better for our applications, it polishes the edge and cleans off the burr.

[logicallyrational]

In my opinion, the Swiss Star knife made by Wenger and marketed by Oboe CH is by far the best knife on the market, if you ever look for another upgrade I recommend it highly. Miller Marketing and Forrests music both sell it, but Miller has a way better price.

[joethemusician]

@logicallyrational both of my previous teachers, including the two oboists in my orchestra use the jende knives. I have not tried the Wenger knives but i'll be very surprised if I like one even half as much as the Jende!

[logicallyrational]

Nice blade. There is a marked difference between a double hollow ground and a wedge, which is what that Neilson knife is. The Nielson wedge is more like a compromise between a double hollow and the bevel. That is a nice Rigotti bevel knife as well. That sharpening steel is a waste of time in my opinion, steel on steel won't sharpen anything, your more likely to damage the edge further. Stick with the india for heavy sharpening and the ceramic for finishing.

[joethemusician]

@logicallyrational I have to disagree with you very much. If I go to the sharpening steel my knife will be so sharp I can literally make 2 or 3 reeds start to finish (if I wanted to... but who wants to do that). I use the stones to get the burr, but the steel is lightweight, fits in my case, and can put an extremely sharp edge on the knife without causing any damage. I use them all the time at gigs when I need to get a sharp edge on my knife doing any emergency reed work. It is phenomenal!

[jendeproducts]

Hey Joe! I was wondering how the reed knife was holding up!

[joethemusician]

This knife has literally changed my life... I am hoping to do an in depth review.

[1libmus]

@joethemusician - Hi Joe, how?! Do you still plan on doing a review? I would like to learn more about how this is working out for you now that you have had it for a year or so.

[joethemusician]

@1libmus I should do that! thanks for reminding me!!! I still love my Jende knife. I still use the sharpening steel also. I find if I use the steel I don't have to go to the stone so much, but It is still necessary to get the burr on the knife on a stone periodically. I use an india stone and then the ceramic whetstone (shapton 8000). My reeds have never been more accurate. I also don't have to sharpen nearly as much as with my older knives. I highly suggest Jende products! They are great!

[porolita]

Well I don't really know much about music instruments but all those things look really cool LOL :D

[simsim29]

Heeeey I just bought the Jende Kit as well and waiting for it in the mail! Did you know that you didnt really need to buy the Shapton stone, at least not yet? The knife stays sharp for a long time and you only need to reallign the burr by using that steel that comes with it. Which shaptons did you buy? Those are VERy expensive!

[joethemusician]

I got the 8000 shapton stone... i was hoping to resurrect two other knifes as well as have it around when I needed it for the Jende knife (so far I've only used it on the older knives!)

[peter440880]

Good luck with the new equipment!