1. Preparing the slip.

Copyright 1999 Evertjan 't Hart

	The cane used is Spanish cane (Arundo Donax) Select a tube of cane as straight as possible. Tube diameter ± 24 mm, cut it to a length 100 mm using a fine tooth saw.
	Split the tube in two.
	Split it into four slips.
	Place the slip on the shooting board and remove the pith with a chisel. Starting 1/2 way down, flip the slip over and repeat.
	Keep gouging and bring the slip down until the thickness along the center is ± 2.5 mm. At this stage the sides of the slip are very sharp and fragile, so be careful.
	Use 240 grid dry and wet sandpaper on a flat surface to make the slip parallel and bring it down to the desired width of 13,2 mm
	Check the width must be ± 13,2 mm.
	Because of the sanding the sides lost their sharpness and are much to thick.
	So place the slip back on the shooting board again and bring it down to ± 2,1 mm. If you find it hard doing this with the chisel you can bring it down by using the sandpaper.
	Use the 240 grid sandpaper to bring the slip down to ± 2 mm.
	The sides of the slip must be very thin Otherwise you'll end up with a dull sounding reed. Hold the slip under a strong light and turn it until the edge of the slip is caching the light. Check if the thickness of the edge is even along the length of the slip. Especially the 60 mm area in the middle. The thickness is ± 0,25 mm
	Check the thickness again. ± 2 mm.

Copyright 1999 Evertjan 't Hart