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February 28, 2007
Why Monofilament?
Hi All, Winter is here. I get really busy this time of year with crack repairs. I try to tell people to keep their flutes humidfied and stored in an airtight container but cracks still happen.
I have been using 20 lbs monofilament line for binding shakuhachi for over 10 years. Some like it, some do not. Why do I use it?
Monofilament line grips the flute better than nylon thread. It also has a higher PSI than nylon and can be pulled much tigheter without snapping the line. This means the bamboo is bound tighter.
Mono also resists oils so it's not as necessary to lacquer over the nylon thread..unless you like colored mono. Here, I lacquered over it with red mostly for cosmetics. But it does help to hold the edges together in case the flute is handled agressively (who would do that?) or oiled often
Mono is a great option for those who do not mind a different aesthetic.
Namaste, Perry
Posted by Perry Yung at February 28, 2007 10:29 PM