A reed clipper (also known as a reed trimmer or reed cutter) is a small tool used by clarinet or saxophone players to adjust the single reeds used on those instruments. The clipper is used to trim off a portion from the tip of the reed. This can make a soft reed harder, or remove imperfections on the tip. A typical design involves fastening the reed onto the tripper by using a flexible strip of steel, and adjusting the height of the reed by using a knurled knob. Once the reed is positioned at the desired height, a small lever is pulled, which clips off a sliver of material from the tip.