Japanese lacquer

[Pierre---]

Hi all,

I haven't posted any pen for a while, but I think I should share this one, because the finish is not often seen here. It is ebonite coated with around 20 layers of Urushi, the natural Japanese lacquer made from the sap of a tree. Sandwiched is a gold leaf. It is a five weeks work, I spent more time sanding and polishing than turning... But the result exceeded my expectations. And they say it can last for 7000 years! I wonder if it is the case with melamine or CA...

Thanks for your critics and comments.

 

[Penpal]

Wonderful depth of this finish makes all of the time spent so worth while IMHO.Exciting blended gold.This pen is a standout.

Kind regards Peter.

 

[angelo49]

That's a **5** masterpiece Pierre!!!!!
*NICE*

 

[fortress]

That is a fantastic looking pen Pierre, all that hard work paid off big time, very well done.

 

[wm460]

Absolutely stunning Pierre.

Hi all,

And they say it can last for 7000 years!

Let us know if this is correct.

 

[pittswood]

Hi Pierre,
I don't normally like acrylics/man made products, but I will make this an exception.
Now that's what I call a pen!!!!
The depth of the gloss finish with the gold leaf under that lacquer is beautifully shown. Now that's a pen I would be proud to use every day. (hint, hint) It shows the effort and time spent on this piece of workmanship. And looks so tactile.
You must tell us how you made that.
Well done Pierre, wonderful work!
Kelvin

 

[AllenN]

Pierre, that is simply beautiful. Your hours of labour have been amply rewarded, I have never seen a better finish. I am often critical of a plastic looking finish but lacquer is not the same at all. There is something indefinable, some sort of depth in the finish that is not there with acrylics. The photos seem to bring this out a bit but I am sure it is much more obvious in the real thing. A real masterpiece in the true and original sense of the word.

 

[alan morrison]

just simply superb Pierre

 

[tom d]

being in the wood business I'm intrigued. I think the lacquer that you've used comes from the Chinese varnish tree Toxicodendron vernicifluum we had to work on one of these a couple of times. The sap is extremely dangerous, on contact with the skin and exposure to sunlight it produced extreme and horrific blistering. Similar to giant hogweed but much worse. I always wondered how people work with the varnish and wether it has the seam effect? I read that once exposed to the raw sap people develop an allergy so severe that simply handling an item lacquered with the stuff can cause another reaction. So your pen could cause a reaction to someone who had had a reaction to the sap in the past. Have you heard of this? It sounds far fetched but we never took any chance while pruning the tree.Toxicodendron vernicifluum - Wikipedia

 

[tom d]

I meant to add. The pen looks stunning!

 

[Phil Dart]

Outstanding.

 

[Pierre---]

Thanks for the kind words gentlemen!

Pierre--- said : they say it can last for 7000 years!
Let us know if this is correct.

It is absolutely correct. Some sources even say 9000 years! Japan has archaeological vessels, the wood is just dust now, but they still have the thin layer of lacquer... Plenty of pieces from middle ages are as new. I drink my tea in lacquered wooden cups for a few months now, not a single crack, which was not the case of my other cups I left without any finish.

You must tell us how you made that.

One layer of raw lacquer diluted in turpentine, one more not diluted, around ten layers of black lacquer, that is the base. Then the decoration: one layer of a mix of lacquer and egg-white to build an uneven and irregular surface, another layer of lacquer that will act as glue, gold leaf, five layers of what they call transparent lacquer (in fact of amber colour), heavy sanding to get it flat. Then the finishing layers, around five of wiped transparent lacquer and carefull polishing in between. That's it!

The sap is extremely dangerous, on contact with the skin and exposure to sunlight it produced extreme and horrific blistering. Have you heard of this?

You're right Tom. I work with vinyl gloves and take great care. Some people are allergic to Urushi, others absolutely not, but I don't want to check for myself. The good news is that there is no more rash when the lacquer is dry, so nobody will scratch one's skin because of my pen. Urushi is perfect for food vessels, it is the traditional coating for high class soup bowls in Japan.

 

[Druthman]

Truly a work of art, love it

 

[Terry Q]

Incredible amount of work. This pen sets the bar high. Wonderful pen Pierre.

 

[Chriscb]

Pierre, simply stunning. Nuf said.

 

[Les ELm]

Nicely done.

Les

 

[Penpal]

Amazing Pierre what an enquiring mind will foster in extreme penmaking,when I see your work I am reminded how patience and observation can stun the senses. So many thanks for sharing mate.

 

[Pierre]

Beautiful. I wish I had your patience

 

[WHCreations]

that is absolutely beautiful. no words can express how stunning that pen truly is! a masterpiece. well done sir!

 

[Bill Mooney]

A superb pen Pierre.