Pen of the Week is changing.

[Phil Dart]

It's time for an overhaul.

POTW has traditionally been selected by the previous winner, but after lengthy discussion, Vic, Walter and I have decided it would be much fairer and more democratic if everyone has a say in the winner

So starting with the next winner, that's exactly what's going to happen.

How will it work? As far as posting pens on the forum is concerned, nothing will change. Keep posting them, just as you do now, and once a week, one of the moderators will collate a photo of each pen into one thread and a vote will be opened on that thread for a few days to give everyone a chance to join in. The pen with the most votes at the close of play will be the winner - it's as simple as that.

Let's see how it goes. Keep posting your pens everyone - every pen from today will be eligible to win.

 

[Penpal]

In the past it has been hard to get participants to vote,well worth a try though.

Peter.

 

[Les ELm]

Leave it the way it is now.

Les

 

[KevinMc]

Hi I have not been here long enough to comment really on the change but I would ask are there “Rules” on what makes a pen the POTW?

I have seen so many great pens made by obviously very experienced and talented wood workers / turners.

I know the ones I like and perhaps don’t like as much but that’s my personal opinion and not sure how that should make me vote?

In my head it could be effort / skill / the background story if there is one... but would love to know what should influence my vote.

As said earlier it’s a shame you see on so many postings, loads of views but many fewer comments or replies. Let’s hope that’s not the same when it comes to voting.

Voting finger at the ready....

Kevin

PS just seen my profile as changed to Pro Turner lol if only it was so... must change my signature.

 

[Phil Dart]

It's a good question Kevin, but the only rule is that it has to be a pen (or a pencil) That's all.

There are some extremely talented and experienced makers here, who take an excellent photo too, but equally there are a lot of far less experienced makers and a lot of newcomers, who whilst they don't perhaps have the experience to wow us with their skills to the same degree, are no less worthy of the accolade for all sorts of reasons, and I have been known to nominate several such pens in my time if the honour has fallen to me, simply because I felt they deserved it.

You're right - effort, skill background story - whatever it is that strikes a chord with you. Just vote for the pen that you like the best, for whatever reasons make you like it. The winner has always been selected from all the pens that have been posted during the week, and that will continue to be the case, so just keep your eye on what's being shown, and go with your heart.

Currently, I'm set to win it by default in any case, because I'm the only person to have posted a pen so far this week, so that will make the decision making very easy for you.

I hope that will change.

Congratulations on reaching pro turner by the way, and thanks for your contributions to the forum - it's appreciated. You've a way to go before you catch those Aussie blokes though I'm afraid, but keep at it

 

[Bammer]

Currently, I'm set to win it by default in any case, because I'm the only person to have posted a pen so far this week, so that will make the decision making very easy for you

Dream on .... you got no chance .....

 

[wm460]

I'd leave it like it is, the other way fizzled out causing the causing the poor bugger running the POTW a lot of head aches.

 

[Phil Dart]

It's never been run this way before Mark, only ever the old way.

 

[Walter]

Is everyone in the Antipodes so pessimistic?

Cheer up and give it a chance guys.

 

[Morse]

I agree Vic,
Let's give it ago and see.
As for Phil and the only pen .....
I may be able to put his Zephyr black and gold to shame with a black and gold, micro meshed to 12000
That would take me up to Zephyr4, next would be, Zephyr6, then Zodiac (for those of us of a certain vintage)

Dave
Why don't the emojis show?
They have now ?

 

[KevinMc]

I made them get into my pocket do they count? Vote now to avoid the rush

 

[Vic Perrin]

Did you lazer engrave them yourself Kevin it looks very professional :wink:

 

[Steve68]

WOW what a bunch of stunners. POTW must be in there.

 

[Phil Dart]

I made them get into my pocket do they count? Vote now to avoid the rush

You get about Kevin. Do you nick the soap and the little shampoo bottles too?

 

[wm460]

Bloody hell Kevin, We need a tutorial on the way you made these pen, ASAP.

I made them get into my pocket do they count? Vote now to avoid the rush

 

[Bucks]

When is the deadline for Pen of The Week entries? I’m just wondering if the ones I posted last night & just now are eligible?

 

[Phil Dart]

When is the deadline for Pen of The Week entries? I’m just wondering if the ones I posted last night & just now are eligible?

Yep, they're eligible. To give the new system a bit of time to get going, I thought I'd close entries and put the vote up tomorrow, and close the vote on Wednesday. Then all the pens posted from tomorrow onward will go into the next one.

What does everyone think? It's going to evolve I think, but hopefully we'll end up with a routine going foorward that everyone is happy with.#

There are 15 eligible pens so far by the way.

 

[Bammer]

I won’t post one so everyone else has a chance

 

[Gregory Hardy]

Phil...I hope you have read all of the comments from the Peanut Gallery thus far.

First, I hope you realize that you have opened Pandora's Box.

Second, I hope this works and that you do NOT discover that Thomas Jefferson was right..."Democracy doesn't work when you give the vote to the great unwashed masses" (please read "pen-makers"). Speaking from the side of the ocean that was not wise enough to establish a constitutional monarchy in the first place, I think you have a long road ahead of you, brother. You now have a weekly battle to fight. ("Come on, guys...won't somebody vote, for Christ's sake?") The outcome of the war may be fine, but the battles....?

I recommend a lottery for POTW. ("It'll only costs five pounds to get in weekly," and Phil can go abroad to visit me once in a while.)

 

[Penpal]

Long live confusion. To avoid it is up to us conscripted members to vote. Now its rigged this way,we all will know whose pen it is and will be drawn to firm favourites. If we are scrupulously fair any system will work. Every week there have been outstanding pens and I trust will be in the future. It is unusual for the board of management to be allowed to compete to keep the appearance of neutrality.

It has been previously nominated as under the direction of Phil as the owner of the forum, guided this way the previous winner chose the next. An important feature has to be no scores only the final one announced,no coaching or influences.

Now for the fixed parameters,does it need to be a pen? Can it be item of the week,if a pen then it is hard to not be influenced by Kit or No Kit,Timber or Plastic or whatever. Difficult to judge one school of thought from another.

AS for me I am a loyal member who will make my vote according to the rules.

Phil two posts back you asked for thoughts these are mine.

Peter.