The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I'm considering the purchase of a bamboo needle cutter and the one concern I have is how difficult it would be to sharpen the blade. I intend to use it often and if the blade becomes dull, I'll have to return to sharpening will a file. I know there are a number of bamboo needle cutters that come up for sale. Which one best lends itself to daily use?

I have used many types of bamboo needle trimmers over the years, scissor type, guillotine,nipper type, and the one I found works consistently well is the Lyon & Healy one. I have used mine countless times, it makes a clean cut and I have never sharpened it. The needles aren’t that hard so they cause very little wear to the hardened blade. Unless a youngster decided to repoint a steel needle I don’t think the blade will be an issue.

We've owned, or examined, numerous bamboo needle sharpeners. Many had a worn blade that made it difficult to achieve a clean cut. Yet, the blade is usually removable and can be reground. I use the fine stone on my bench grinder, then touch up with an Aluminum Oxide block. Once sharp again, the cut is amazingly clean and the result is an un-mashed up tip that is quite strong. Cheers, Russie

PS, +1 for pianolist recommendation of the L&H sharpener. It is an easy one to operate, and cuts consistently.