Plaque
These are the plaques I use and love. The curved ends make them natural reed cleaners, and if, like me, you like to magnetize your knife these plaques will respond to that magnetic force.
I have them in two strengths now - the regular ones are what most oboists seem to prefer. My favorites are the others, though - MUCH thinner than others on the market, the super skinny plaques won't stress your reed by pushing the blades wide apart. These can feel a little flimsy under your fingers, though, and they wear out pretty fast, so that's the downside...
You have to have something, though. The plaque is a tiny but essential part of the process.
These are the plaques I use and love. The curved ends make them natural reed cleaners, and if, like me, you like to magnetize your knife these plaques will respond to that magnetic force.
I have them in two strengths now - the regular ones are what most oboists seem to prefer. My favorites are the others, though - MUCH thinner than others on the market, the super skinny plaques won't stress your reed by pushing the blades wide apart. These can feel a little flimsy under your fingers, though, and they wear out pretty fast, so that's the downside...
You have to have something, though. The plaque is a tiny but essential part of the process.
These are the plaques I use and love. The curved ends make them natural reed cleaners, and if, like me, you like to magnetize your knife these plaques will respond to that magnetic force.
I have them in two strengths now - the regular ones are what most oboists seem to prefer. My favorites are the others, though - MUCH thinner than others on the market, the super skinny plaques won't stress your reed by pushing the blades wide apart. These can feel a little flimsy under your fingers, though, and they wear out pretty fast, so that's the downside...
You have to have something, though. The plaque is a tiny but essential part of the process.