Speaking of pens

Quartlow · 08-19-2003, 06:40 PM

That ash burl is some nice stuff!!!!

Fred Wasn't it you told me all you use for pens is slimline kits?

**saturnme** · 08-19-2003, 07:18 PM

I use all kinds of kits. However, I get a lot of mileage out
of the slimline kits. The pen in the middle, mahogany, is
actually part of a combo set. I turned a 2" diameter holder
for it. So it can be pocket or desk pen.

Most of my slimlines are turned a bit thicker or with bulges
to make easy to hold. I have decorated them with transfer
decals, veneer, CZ stones, and even airbrush. Right now I have
about 20 in stock. None are even close to each other.

Ah! and I make LEATHER pens too! Lizard and ostrich leg . . .
The LIZZY and OSTRY models ....

It is a lot of fun!

fred
My turning is taking a new life . . .

**DaveZ** · 08-19-2003, 07:52 PM

Ahh, lizard and ostrich skin makes darn fine cowboy boots. Full quill or smooth, for the ostrich? You will have to post a pic of those. Beautiful work on the pens, of course I'm partial to the ash :)

**saturnme** · 08-19-2003, 08:22 PM

Hello Dave!

I got an ostrich leg skin, and a couple pound of assorted
lizzard scrap. Came in several colors. It is pretty cheap
that way, and I can use at least 70% of it one way or another.

The hard part of leather on a pen is the seam, of course.
The leather people told me to use wood glue, I used my
regular Titbond II, and worked well. Cutting it to make
a decent seam was a challenge. I managed, and with some
wax paper and lots of rubber bands, it dried well in shape.
After doing a bit of carving along the seam it blended well
with the lizzard skin.

Ostrich has that pinkish color and glue does show horribly.
In the future, I will use a different idea to hide the seam.
I am going to try airbrushing, ala tattoo painting, to blend
the seam in.

That Ash turned like a dream ! Of course, I sharpened the
tools. I made a small fingernail gouge out of a carving
chisel. It is only carbon steel, so the edge does not hold
as long as HSS, but takes a fine edge which cuts like butter.
As I was approaching final shape, I used some Polycrylic to
fill and condition the wood so it would not fall apart as
easily. The pic does not do it justice, it is a stunning
figure, and took a polish like GLASS (Polycrylic). I am not
sure if I ever want to get rid of it, I might just use it!

Dave, thanks again for your thoughtfulness in sending the
blanks along with the motor.

fred
My life is taking a new turn... on DC !

**Sawduster** · 08-20-2003, 08:11 AM

That fungi wood is really great. The other two are nice also.

**saturnme** · 06-02-2010, 09:14 AM

DaveZ sent me a few blanks with the motor.

The spalted Ash burl is from one of these
blanks.

Left: Plastic with gold chips. Middle: Plain Mahogany

fred
My life is taking a new turn...