Forestone Bamboo W Blast Reed

Most synthetic reeds make a compromise somewhere — too hard on the tongue, slippery on the lips, or a tone that's bright and plasticky compared to cane. The Forestone Bamboo W Blast is different, and it's one of the few synthetic reeds we're genuinely excited to carry.

The construction is unusual: a French filed cut reed made from 52% bamboo material mixed with carbon powder, with a special surface treatment that adds projection and fullness. That bamboo content changes how it feels and sounds in ways that matter. It's softer on the tongue than most synthetics, less slippery on the lips, and the tone doesn't have that dulled, artificial quality that puts players off other options. It's focused and dark without being dull — in some ways comparable to the BSS Black Label reed in tonal character.

It's also forgiving across different mouthpieces, which means you can try it on your current setup without worrying about compatibility.

The practical side is equally strong. Buy a new one and expect it to play the same as the last. Wash it with soap and water, rotate between two, and it will outlast many boxes of cane. No soaking, no sorting, no throwing out half a box because the reeds are uneven.

MH strength plays like a 3. H strength plays like a 3.5.

Available for French clarinet, soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone.