Bending a Dukoff?

[Subtone Sam]

I've heard that some refacers have opened the tip of Dukoffs by bending the mouthpiece's tip (the material is quite soft).Does this really work? I have a Duk that needs to be opened a bit..

[MojoBari]

I've never tried it. It would also need a bunch of reface work but bending should reduce the amount of material that needs to come off to get a good playing facing curve.

I've been more tempted to bend in the side rails. The newer Dukoffs have Nickle plating on the outside. As you open the piece, the rails and table get wider. They cut into more of the round body of the piece. Normally you file the side of the piece and blend it in to match the width of the reed. I avoid doing this on plated pieces unless they are really way out.

Stories are recounted of Frank Wells of Chicago using a hammer to start his work on opening a metal Link. I've used a metal bar in the shank and a more gentle bending to rough-in a bent tip.

[Dr G]

Stories are recounted of Frank Wells of Chicago using a hammer to start his work on opening a metal Link.

Was that not in an effort to bring up more baffle - applying a hammer to the area under the bite plate?