I like it - would be nice to have a smaller one with a secure case for
blade only. Have only used it a bit because of keeping in original case
for safety and not quick to access.
Susan M., WI
I am really liking the knife. It is very sharp and I can be very
precise with it. Thank you for the great purchase!
Taylor S., MO
Thank you for your email. I am absolutely loving the ceramic knife. I
took a few divits out of the first few reeds that I made with the knife,
but since then, everything has been going very smoothly. The tips of my
reeds in particular are much better. It's so important to have a sharp
reed knife - I'm very happy with my purchase.
Melissa B., IL
I like the knife a lot. At first I thought it might be too big, but
it's a great size.
Lynn H., WV
I’m afraid I haven’t done much reed work. I did some reed scraping with
the ceramic knife, and it seemed plenty sharp. I’m not quite used to the
light weight in the hand. When my basement reconstruction is finished this
week, and I get my workbench back, I may have some more informed comments
for you! Thanks for asking.
Louise H., IN
It’s SHARP, that’s for sure. I find that this knife definitely works
best as a fine detailing / finishing knife, and really only on fairly wet
cane. It’s best for channels rather than tips, due to the continuous
curvature of the blade. Chatter isn’t too bad, but there’s a little more
of it than I’d want if I were going to use this knife as an all-arounder.
Overall, the knife frankly frightens me a little – it is really, really
sharp, as you know.
Bottom line is that I still like steel best of all. It just offers more
control and you can "feel" how it will cut more readily than the ceramic,
which has a kind of a lifelessness to it.
Thomas M., NJ
I'm loving it. I really like how I'm able to easily adjust along the
blade of the knife to be able to get the exact spot on the reed that I
need without worrying about taking cane from other places. Since it's
extra sharp, it's very easy to control exactly how much I'm taking off
with very slow, controlled work, as opposed to possibly getting
overzealous with a regular reed knife and taking out a chunk of cane in
one spot. Work at the tip is also a breeze, it is very easy to do the work
when you know exactly how much will be getting taken off.
Nick N., TX
I think the knife is really great! I have not used my old knife since.
It stays sharp and the curved edge does indeed help with the channels.
That makes it really useful for me. I am glad I got it.
Luis G., TX
The knife works quite well. I wonder if it will keep its edge as well
with the type of stoke we use to scrape ( as opposed to slicing).
Sue B., VA
I think the knife is good but I am not sure the angle yet, especially
on the oboe reeds. I am still experimenting. It might be easier on the
bassoon reeds which I am going to do more next week.
Yingching J., TX
I like it. It works great for working the tip because of the knife's
incredible sharpness. Thanks again for the recommendation.
Chris S., FL
It is not useful for scraping reeds in a manner that I use. It is very
good for slicing (food), and likely also good for making reeds in a style
where not much wood is removed, or, removed in a general over-all sense. I
sculpt as I scrape and it does not do that. Sorry. I know many will like
it, and I hope you have good success with sales to those who do like it.
David W., AZ
I've found one has to use a VERY light touch with the ceramic knife.
I've been using pretty much the ceramic knife and my Swiss Army grafter (I
actually prefer the straight blade ) folding knife.
David B., VA
I DO like it, particularly for taking down tips from blanks formed off
of my heavy profiler. I feel it will save wear and tear on my expensive
finishing knife. Had to adjust to the slanted blade, but was no problem.
Jonna G., TX
I LOVE the ceramic knife, just love it! It is in my kitchen now, but it
may go back to the reed desk. Lighter that my normal beveled knife, so
more chatter marking possibilities, but great in a pinch, I think. Very
sharp and precise. I wonder if it's a better option for oboists who use
the hollow ground knife and are more used to the lighter feel and grab?
Lee G., NY
Actually, the knife is working excellent. I show it to my partners and
they think is really good to have that kind of knife. Still, I have to be
careful when I’m scratching the wood, first because it is new and second
is really light the knife and I don’t have to use so much tension in my
hands. Still, I am knowing where does it work well in different parts of
the reed.
Myrmarie V., PR
By the way, the ceramic knife is fantastic. I almost sent it back
because it appears to be right handed (I'm left handed, but failed to tell
you that), but it seems to cut from either direction.
Roger S., KY
I have been using my ceramic knife for all the tasks I don't prefer to
use my regular reed knife for - clipping tips, removing ears, etc. It's
not my cup of tea for actually scraping on oboe reeds, but I like having
it on my reed table. :-)
Rena V., OH
I had some difficulty working with the ceramic knife, since it is a
paring knife and does not have a straight edge. The edge was sharp, but
after about a week, I noticed some chips on the edge, and didn't want to
use the knife for reedmaking. So, unfortunately, it not work out for me!
Renate S., PA
Hi, I like the knife very much....however I fill like I´m working at
the kitchen, and not doing reed... jajaja!!!
Isabel J., San Jose CR
I've found the ceramic knife to be very useful in final finish work
with both oboe and bassoon reeds. The curve helps in a number of
situations and permits me to get into very specific areas for fine
adjustments. AT first, I wasn't really sure how it would work but as I
continue to use it, I am turning to it more and more for those special
uses. I particularly like that it keeps an edge (that's good since it
means sending it off to be sharpened) but I don't anticipate that will be
necessary for a long time. Thanks for finding the knives and being
innovative enough to stock it. I hope others have found it as useful.
Dan D., KY
