Unexpected reed slot

[boxplayer4000]

Reed Slot


In the course of tuning reeds I adopt the common approach of viewing the reed against a bright light, at arms length, to see if they sit evenly in their slot. While doing this with one reed I was aware of a small slot of light near the tip where I would not have expected it. On closer examination it appeared that a small slot had been formed near the tip of the reed. With the aid of the cameras I have available and digital measuring devices the width of this slot is estimated to be 0.16mm.
My questions are:-
Why would a slot be cut?
Which tool would be used?


Which tool would be used to cut a 0.16mm slot?

 

[JIM D.]

I've found these in the past on mediocure made German accordions. It seems it was a practice in the past to offer an air relief to a reed tongue
that would choke with the same bellows pressure as the rest of reeds in the box.
A practice used to avoid making a different size reed plate & tongue for a higher note.

 

[boxplayer4000]

Interesting. Not a very good practice.
I'm replacing it with a more modern Cagnoni reed.
I certainly don't have a tool or saw capable of cutting a slot this size (approx 1.6mm, about 6.4 thou).