I have now reverted to crystal sets and need some wire for the detector. I believe a phosphor bronze wire was used for this and I recall that it may have been cotton covered.
Would anyone have some available? Also open to alternative types but appearance is important. About 30 cm or so will keep me going.
Harold

I believe guitar string wire can be used for the springy detector wire. Maybe someone you know has a guitar and can spare a bit ?

Another suggested replacement is the brass wire from soft wire brushes, such as those used for suede shoes.

Thanks people,
I have an old cats whisker detector from my schooldays which has the whisker bit missing.
Thats given two good ideas for replacement.
A traditional crystal set project has been on the back burner for years. .
JJ

Thanks for these suggestions, I'll give them both a try.
Harold

Let us know how it goes.

Hide a 1N4148 behind the front panel???

Or will the concourse nazis pick it up?

Perhaps a tiny SMD schottky diode soldered in the cup that holds the crystal, you'd never pick it......

Seriously, a strand of brass picture hanging wire would do the trick. Sharpen it on the grinder.

You can still get germanium diodes you know.
In fact the most practical source of a catswhisker wire might simply be to crush the glass of a germanium diode.
That's what I did when I was fooling around with making point contact transistors some years back.