Thorn (oboe)

Mandrel for making oboe reeds

A mandrel , also called a burning mandrel , is a tool used to make oboe reeds .

In a first step, a soaked piece of pipe ( Arundo donax ) is brought into a rounded shape over the mandrel heated in a flame. In further work steps, the binding on a brass sleeve and the scraping of the pipe, the mandrel is used to hold it securely in the hand.