Tubeless ballpoint in snakewood

[Pierre---]

Hello penturners!

Somebody asked me to make a ballpoint pen in snakewood. I have never been lucky with this wood, it always cracks. I think it is because of the tube and the metallic parts that expand with the heat of the hand. So I just made one without any snug-fit metal parts: no tube and no tranny.

I made a trial in boxwood with the refill that could be put in and taken out from the upper part of the barrel:



But the barrel was too long and the refill was too deep in the hole and hard to get out, stupid! I found the grip a bit short too. I made another one and it was better. So I could go with snakewood:











Thanks for your most welcome critics and comments.



(Edit : unable to upload the first pic - boxwood prototype - and I don't know why, it is smaller than 800x600. ??? Any help somebody?)

 

[PetrolP]

Whatever your reservations about it, still an impressive looking pen.
Great form and detail with a notorious , but beautiful wood make this a very attractive pen.
Does snakewood always crack ?

Peter

 

[wm460]

Superb pen Pierre.

 

[Paul hd]

Fantastic looking pen Pierre.

 

[Penpal]

Innovative using the most controversial timber I know,my ten year made pen is still sound. Like your design and persistance Pierre and great to see you on the forum again mate.

Peter.

 

[Pierre---]

Thanks all.
Peter, I do not post that often, but I am never far away! Would you share a pic of your ten years old pen?

 

[Penpal]

Yes I can the pen is actually the year 2000 so it is 18 yrs old now. It looked exactly like this last year when I gave it to a grandson who lives in Brisbane.THe pic was ten yrs old in 2010 March.

Kind regards Peter.

 

[wm460]

I have never been lucky with this wood, it always cracks. I think it is because of the tube and the metallic parts that expand with the heat of the hand. So I just made one without any snug-fit metal parts: no tube and no tranny.

The bloody stuff splits in my nice cool shed with out me even touching it.

Couple of Quotes from a knife and a pen forum.

I've got some that cracked after 12 years air drying. Even without cutting it.



Snakewood can be one of the most beautiful woods you'll find. However, there is a catch. It LOVES to split. If you drill it too fast, it will split. If your tools aren't sharp and heat builds up, it will split. If you sand too aggressively or for too long, it will split. If you look at it more with you left eye than with your right, it will split. And, sometimes it will split after your pen is assembled just because it gets mad at you and remembers the abuse you just put it through.








(Edit : unable to upload the first pic - boxwood prototype - and I don't know why, it is smaller than 800x600. ??? Any help somebody?)

I resize my pics to 680 X 480 this is maximum size on some forums that I am on.
Dont know what Phil's limit is?

 

[fortress]

That's a beauty Pierre, lovely work.

 

[Les ELm]

Very nicely done.

Les

 

[Gadget-UK]

You are truly a Craftsman of the highest regard Pierre.
That is a stunning pen and even more so that it is 100% crafted & not made from a kit

 

[Bill Mooney]

A nice looking pen Pierre, hope it doesn’t split.

 

[AllenN]

It really is lovely Pierre. A great idea beautifully made.