Is there anyone in the UK who makes bone slides
Mal (Hull)
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Is there anyone in the UK who makes bone slides
Mal (Hull)
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To be honest, and I know I'll get shot down here, why does anyone want to use a bone slide? I know it's all very groovy, but I'm yet to be convinced that it's a real practical alternative to the other 'conventional' slide materials.
It's light and soft compared with glass, brass or steel. I must admit, I've only ever casually experimented using a piece of bone as a slide, but to my ears it just wasn't good...very muted and dull. If someone wants to furnish me with a bone slide to prove me wrong I'm willing to give it a try. Having said that, what most people look for in a slide is hardness, smoothness and density...which is what glass, steel and brass have. You can polish bone to a nice smoothness and shine, but it's very light and I'd be concerned about it cutting-up on the strings. I've got some chromed brass slides that are really marked-up, and that's one of the reasons I prefer glass. I've always got plenty of bone in the workshop, but have never really been inclined to give it a go and make a bone slide.
There, I know I'll have upset some people...especially those who make bone slides...but I'll admit I'm pretty ignorant on the subject!
Cheers John and a very expecive subtitute I actualy went for glass.Thanks for your reply .Regards Mal
Hi Mal, I have not made a bone slide but I have worked/ carved bone and horn for walking sticks.
Should be fairly easy I would have thought. You can obtain bone from the infamous "Pets at home" for a couple of quid, they are stuffed with various fillings which you need to poke out and clean up with detergent then soak in lighter fuel until the grease is removed ( several soakings). I have seen them for sale at a large pound shop in Wakefield. I would advise wearing a mask when working and the smell is quite revolting if heated too much by friction. The best material in my mind would be antler but is harder to obtain and more expensive, not sure how horn would sound but might try it as an experiment some time, hope this information helps mate, keep me posted as to your progress, all the best, Chris. :)
I also made sticks but carved wood heads when I was fit enough to work my springer on shoots ,you haveome really nice ones there.Thans I will have a ;look Makl(Hull)