To minimize barrel joint cracking, the wood is counterbored, so that the metal bears against the wood in two places rather than the entire length. This results in a much stronger joint that is less likely to crack. Should your headjoint experience cracking, I would be happy to replace the offending piece. Required with the slide is reinforcement, usually banding made from Silver. On my flutes, I use turned bands in Sterling Silver.
Cast bands featuring Celtic knotwork are also occasionally available, if time allows.
Click here to see these styles. These now add only a few extra weeks to the delivery time. There are a total of 6 bands on a flute with tuning slide. The traditional Irish flute actually descends from the orchestral flute of mid 19th century England. Most of these flutes, from about 1837 onward featured 8 keys, in addition to the basic 6 hole design, that allowed the flute to be played chromatically.