Reed Making Sets

Reed Making Sets

Currently only available in Classic Sets (with Artist Sets coming soon), our reed making sets for oboe are currently organized into two categories for either European or American style reed making.

Each set is a pre-assembled collection of tools selected based on the experience of our team and recommendations of professional oboists from around the world.

Classic Sets Comparison

The Classic Sets are collections of hand tools in varying sizes based on the needs of oboists at various stages in their reed making journey and which style of reed they will be making.

European Style

Reed Making Set BASIC contains everything the beginning reed maker will need to learn to how to adjust their reeds. It is our most basic set, providing you with quality reed making products at affordable prices to help get your reed making journey started. We have included our ceramic folding knife as it is lightweight, low-cost, and does not require sharpening.

Reed Making Set PLUS contains all the hand tools you need to make and adjust your reeds from start to finish. Also included is a Dial Indicator and Reed Guillotine to help your reed making be more accurate. A selection of popular knives has been provided that can be added to the set.

American Style

Reed Making Set USA Beginner contains everything the beginning reed maker will need to learn to how to adjust their reeds. It is our most basic set, providing you with quality reed making products at affordable prices to help get your reed making journey started. The fully assembled Beginner Set comes with shaped cane, black thread, staples, and a forming mandrel matched to the staples.

The provided cane has the following parameters:

  • Diameter: 10.0-10.5
  • Thickness: 58-60
  • Cane Brand: Rigotti
  • Shaper Form: RDG 1

The provided staples are Chiarugi 2+ staples, and the mandrel is matched to them. The cane and staple choice is a standard chosen to be relevant to as many oboists starting their reed making journey as possible, based on the experience of our team and recommendations of professional oboists from around the United States A selection of popular knives has been provided that can be added to the set.

Reed Making Set USA Standard is an upgrade from the beginner reed making set. It includes a Dial Indicator and a Reed Guillotine to help increase the accuracy of your reed making. A drying rack has been included to provide a place to store blanks before they make their way into your reed case. The measuring tool has also been upgraded from the ruler to the caliper.

While the beginner set includes cane, staples, and mandrels, we have left this choice open for you in the standard set. A selection of popular knives has been provided that can be added to the set.


Note: Only the Reed Making Set BASIC and Reed Making Set USA Beginner contain a knife. The upgraded sets do not contain a knife as there are many options from which to choose. We have provided a list of the available knives with the upgraded sets, to help you easily add one to your set of choice.


Staples and Mandrels

Unless otherwise noted, our Oboe Reed Making Sets do not include Mandrels and Staples. Staples and Mandrels must be matched to one another to avoid damage, and the choice of staples is a personal one for each oboist. For most beginners we recommend the "Chiarugi 2" as a starting point. We also recommend a wire thickness of 0.3 mm.