Trying to improve the look of my slims

[Pierre---]

I have been thinking of making better looking 7mm pens for some time. But how to make them nicer? Or at least more controlled? I thought that getting rid of most of the parts - or to make them instead of using the metal stuff - was a good way to go.

Let's start from the beginning. Of course, everybody on this forum can make a slimline with everything supplied, I mean centre band, finial, clip and nib. But centre bands just dictate diameters. So I prefer to integrate them in the cap :


And the finial, well, I prefer wood:


The clip ring is only an oppressing diameter dictator deserving jail! So why not hiding it in the wood?


The nib is a bloodthirsty tyrant too. Revolution is within easy reach. We are woodturners, aren't we? Simplicity, simplicity...


I was still bothered by the tiny joint line between cap and finial, I find it somehow vulgar:


So, I decided to get rid of this line too. A bit difficult to hide, but I think it could be worth the trouble. And why not adding some decoration?

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These two pens are what I wanted to show you, the result of the trials evoked above. Indian rosewood and kingwood with some mother-of-pearl inlays:


And no joint! The pen is made of only two pieces of wood, plus deco, clip, tranny and refill.


Now that I got rid of nearly every constraints, I am free to redesign the pen. This is my last attempt. No clip, not for a British Mayor! :wink:
C&C more than welcome!

 

[Penpal]

Viva la Revolution some interesting experiments there Pierre.

Peter.

 

[fortress]

Well done Pierre, they look cool.

 

[Bill Mooney]

A very nicely thought out & executed redesign Pierre.

 

[wm460]

Very nice Pierre you have done well.

 

[stiofanpadraigcrafts]

Great post showing your path to the end product. Beautiful pens and innovation.

Sent from my SD4930UR using Tapatalk

 

[AllenN]

Very impressive Pierre. An excellent little article and beautiful work.

 

[Penpal]

Stimulated me further into pens in general many thanks.

Peter.

 

[edlea]

Some very good ideas there

 

[angelo49]

Fantastic Work!! Pierre
Very Nicely Done!

 

[qquake2k]

I have to say, those are some of the best slimlines I've ever seen!

 

[Terry Q]

I'm impressed with your ingenuity. Well done.

 

[Buckeye]

Lovely effect

Peter

 

[Woody]

Some very interesting designs I especially like the last one

 

[Les ELm]

Interesting.

Les

 

[Gizmo3k]

Very nice work! I wonder if you can save money just buying the mechanisms and tubes, with whatever clip you fancy from your favorite fancy clip supplier!

Care to share how you integrate the clip without a join? I have an idea, but am not sure if I am right!

Alan

 

[chas_41_uk]

Some very nice ideas there Pierre

 

[Bigblackdog]

i really like those- some fantastic ideas there.

 

[Jim]

I like how you have put these together Pierre, a nice showing of enterprise my friend ..

 

[Pierre---]

Hi all,
Thanks for your laudatory comments, even if I would have preferred critics to help me to get better. But it's good for the ego, you are good friends.

Very nice work! I wonder if you can save money just buying the mechanisms and tubes, with whatever clip you fancy from your favorite fancy clip supplier!
Care to share how you integrate the clip without a join? I have an idea, but am not sure if I am right! Alan

You're right Alan, my goal was to save money not buying nibs ans stuff. :pounds:
About the invisible clip, have a look in the IAP library : This article was an inspiration: www.penturners.co.uk/wood-turned-items/16910-trying-improve-look-my-slims-2.html#post252700