Making Kazoos- good intro to knife work

[silvergirl]

After a suggestion from another member, I thought I would put up a tutorial on making wooden Kazoos.

I have made these with many different groups from nursery children to scouts, and find them a great way of introducing basic knife work. And of course they have an easily made object that does something (make a noise) to show for their work. I can’t remember where I got the idea from; it could well have been someone on this site (so apologies for pinching your idea if I did)

You can have them in various stages of readiness depending on group size and ability, but I’ll show the main steps and you can adapt as you see fit.

The first stage is to select your wood. I have a willow coppice which I use, or some birch growing out the back. The best stuff I have found is around 2cm (1”) in diameter. Cut into lengths of 15-18cm (6-7”).

Smooth off any knots in the stick

Next split the piece straight down the middle. And don’t lose the bits.

The pieces should fit snugly together, but for our purposes we need to shave the middle of the inside a little to allow air to pass straight through and allow space for vibration. So carefully shave down the interior near the middle.

You can see if you have done enough by putting the pieces back together (you need to shave some wood off each side), and you can remove the bark for a mouthpiece at this point.

Next you need something to vibrate, I’ve found that Posties elastic bands work great. I have yet to experiment with natural items but if you come up with something better let me know.
Next hold both pieces together and check it does actually make a noise, blowing from either side will probably give a different tone. If needs be, at this stage you can shave a bit more off the inside of the stick.

Lastly, put more bands round either end, or if you have time you can whip them with twine, but the bands works fine.

Now you’re set to have your own kazoo orchestra.

 

[John Fenna]

Nice one!
I must try that!

 

[g4ghb]

Excellent Cara - a very clear tutorial!

Just the job and something I will definitely have a go at in the future for groups

Thank you!

 

[shaggystu]

superb, another excuse to wander the streets picking up interesting bits of rubbish "i'm looking for elastic bands to make me a wooden kazoo" something else for the neigbours talk about!

stuart

 

[ex member coconino]

Hooray! another use for postman spoor!

 

[Barn Owl]

Excellent post, thank you.

 

[gsfgaz]

the wee one's looked like they enjoyed them selfs .... cheers for sharing

 

[plastic-ninja]

Perfect little knifework starter.
Thanks very much for sharing it.
Cheers , Simon

 

[Tilia]

haha i was listening last week to eric clapton, san-Fransisco bay and thought to my self, i wonder if you can make a kazoo in the woods

and yes, you can

thanks for sharing this

 

[Toddy]

Brilliant Simple and interesting and the kids will love it. Thank you for posting
That one goes into the file of fun stuff to make with kids when practicing knife skills
I've made the one with the big rough grass leaf before, but it's hard for the kids to keep that stretched taut enough to work well. The rubber band is just right.


It occurs to me that there could be an entire thread devoted just to the potential uses of the posties red rubber bands; it seems they drop them the entire length and breadth of the country.
I think I can make a triangular woodland 'harp' and have it strung using the bands too.
Any other suggestions ? and we'll start the other thread

cheers,
M

 

[g4ghb]

Oooooo! - Marys gonna make a harp!

 

[Tank]

I have one of these from Silvergirl from the Gift it on thread, i love it, but it seems to make my son cry when i play with it lol. oh well i am having fun with it lol

 

[addo]

Great Post, thanks.
Just been making a noise with one of these. There great fun for the kids.
When I show them the trick with the grass between the thumbs they always stuggle, so these are a great idea.

 

[The Big Lebowski]

now there's something for me to do on saturday, waiting for the stew to cook... my daughter will be fascinated with that!

and, tbh... its not like i get much piece and quiet kazoo, or no kazoo

:aargh4:

 

[bojit]

I remember making them as a kid with a comb and a piece of tissue paper and annoying the hell out of my dad !

these wooden ones seem like they will last a long time , great thread thanks for the tutorial .

Wonder how many people have read this thread and are still wondering what a Kazoo is ?

Craig.........

 

[silvergirl]

One thing to note is that elastic bands do eventually perish.
But its easy enough to replace them.

 

[Tengu]

Parents will love you.

`Postman Spoor` now thats a new one.

 

[John Fenna]

I just had a quick overnighter in my local woods with Greg...I made two of these one note wonders - Greg threatened me with physical injury...
Came home and showed them to my wife - she threatened me with physical injury....
Wait for the Kazoo solos at the Moot...I am going for the record of threats of physical injury to a bushcrafter....

 

[Lepus]

You can try video tape or casette tape, easy to pick up in charity shops for pennies and even comes in it's own dispensing reel. Used to make something similar for squeeking foxes using a wooden clothes peg and casette tape HTH