Elm burr with copper kirinite

[Tony.]

New pen finished last night.

Tried to get the combination of wood and ‘synthetic’ right and think the kirinite works well with the elm.

Had a few problems with lacquering the wood so will need to go back and revisit that but pretty happy with this one.

An critique would be most welcome.

 

[Chriscb]

Evening,
Umm... first point of focus was the bands - very well done. Then I looked at the length of the cap-barrell threads. It looks very long - how many turns does it take to get the cap off? Do you think that the long threads throws the balance forward - nib heavy perhaps? Love the way you finished the nib section (as far as I can see it) although I tend to sink the nib below the section rather than keep it proud. The gentle curve to both ends of the pen is really classy. Use of the burr has to be applauded and the transition between wood and acrylic is excellent. I'm not sure if having such a close colour match between the burr and acrylic does either material credit - is the burr the star or is it in a supporting role. I'd like to see the pen closed, (is there a step between them) and the stats - length, nib size etc.

I have experienced the thrill (and frustration) of creating a kitless pen and recognise what skill you possess, so well done with this pen. I do hope you don't think this critique has been too harsh, I have tried to be honest. No doubt others on here with oodles of experience will comment - I do hope so as having an honest critique is essential for improvement.

Regards,
Chriscb

 

[flexi]

Lovely job on that, nice colour match with the kirinite...

 

[Tony.]

Thanks Chris, that’s exactly the response that I had hoped for and the questions that you raise are good and fair. The cap thread does feel too long now you mention it. It is a triple lead thread so takes 1.5 turns to remove the cap so I guess from a practical point, it works ok.

Fair point about sinking the nib. That’s an experience point on my part, I’ll try to figure that in with the next pen.

I tried to match the elm burr and kirinite Rather than making one contrast with the other, I quite like trying to match the colour as best as I can. I don’t think the photo does it justice (pen photography is an interesting thread in its self) but do appreciate the value of contrast.

Thanks again.

 

[Penpal]

Tony I freely admit to doing a chart on your pen and it resulted in so many ticks.The banding,open and closed ends are or can be monumental problems. Love the matching and colour coordination,breath of fresh air really. Congratulations.

Peter.

 

[Tony.]

Thanks for the encouraging comments Peter.

I’ll readily admit to picking up some good guidance on creating bands from this forum and hope the successes here are more than a happy accident and I can replicate again.

The white band was created from an old credit card that I had. That should be an inexhaustible resource available from my wife’s purse.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Wa very nice pen.

 

[Pierre---]

A nice pen Tony. Plenty of good things in it. One detail I find not as good as the rest is the fact you shaved the base of the barrel threads. I find it weak, for the kirinite as for the eye. I'd rather shave the beginning of the cap threads instead.
As Chris, I find the wood and the plastic too similar, seems like you had something to hide. I would have preferred some frank contrast, but this could be a matter of taste.

 

[Phil Dart]

Great looking pen Tony. And extra bonus points for the elm burr. As others have mentioned, reducing the fillet behind the cap thread and shortening the thread itself would change the dynamic, perhaps for the better in my own opinion. The illusion at the moment is one of a very long section which is slightly out of proportion with the barrel. A slightly shorter thread and a slightly longer barrel would alter that perception, but at the end of the day, there are no pen police out there, so who's to say it's wrong. If you like it the way it is, then it's absolutely right.

 

[Tony.]

Thanks Pierre, yes, I take your point about the weak point, shaving the barrel thread. I’m working on a new pen and have shaved the beginning of the barrel thread. This seems to have worked out pretty well. The cap and barrel sit much more flush than any previous pens

The pen ‘contrast wood and plastic similarity’ seems to be a common view on the thread, appreciated the feedback - I will give this some proper thought. Much of my efforts are trying to get the technical right and perhaps not giving the aesthetic the attention that it is needed.

Thanks also Phil, I agree or at least my wife picked up the barrel length is short than other barrels that I have previously made. I have a technical plan that i have just finished so hope to be able to turn out close to identical pens for the future or at least not leave it up to chance.

In response to an earlier post on the pen dimensions. Cap thread is 13x.75. The barrel diameter is 15 mm. I have been making pens with no real plans to sell, rather I just enjoy the mix of technical and art and interested to see where it goes.

Thanks again for all the feedback.