What do you make of this wood

[edlea]

I'm not sure whether this spalted birch is OK or just down right ugly. it has a 'salt and pepper' look to it and to be fair it looks better in the flesh . Using a knackered camera doesn't help it either (sorry). Comments if you will chaps.

 

[edlea]

Another angle

 

[yorkshireman]

Nowt wrong with that wood Ed. I wouldn't use it on pepper mills but thats just my opinion.

 

[paulm]

I like that Ed, and I like the kit too.

 

[silver]

Hi Ed.... Sorry...

It just doesn't look up to your normal standards that one doesn't Ed.. It looks a little over turned on the nib end and there seems to be a very small offset gap on the Centre band fitting.. Sorry mate....

Now it could be really superb and it's that knackered old camera of yours the is making it look the away it is..

On the other hand I really like the wood.....

 

[Jimjam66]

Hmmmm, I see what you mean, Ed. The wood is a bit marmite-ish, not to my taste but others will love it. I have some spalted crab-apple that does the same thing when turned.

 

[edlea]

Hi Ed.... Sorry...

It just doesn't look up to your normal standards that one doesn't Ed.. It looks a little over turned on the nib end and there seems to be a very small offset gap on the Centre band fitting.. Sorry mate....

Now it could be really superb and it's that knackered old camera of yours the is making it look the away it is..

On the other hand I really like the wood.....

Well spotted Eamonn it is a littler over turned at the nib end...reason, although I tried to stabilize the ends with CA it was plucking like mad at the edges. Think I'll strip this one back and start again if the wood is worth the effort

 

[Buckeye]

It's certainly interesting, if you have more of it, I would have a go at staining it with a darkish stain.

Peter

 

[Jim]

The wood doesn't look to bad Ed, it certainly comes up fine when finished ...

 

[bluntchisel]

Hi, Ed,

I believe the correct description of this wood is "mottled", and may be beech, birch, apple, etc. Me personally, would sell that pen - the average buyer would find a perfectly acceptable purchase.

Bob.

 

[Penpal]

ED if in doubt put it out...to the public ie who buy not float the boat in the right place. There is a guy in Canada who obtained a large quantity of a nondescript timber and persevered with it producing extremely well turned pens with a great finish, then photographed them cleanly, sharp pics sold them like hot cakes. In isolation they were mottley pens. All his hard work resulted in sales then he offered them the timber blanks for sale and the forumites said you got the timber for nothing you should give them to us. I remember clearly the initial reactions among turners to so called Steampunk Pens it never matched their attraction on the sales table.

I like them for other reasons because the more you have a go the turning improves, your confidence zooms out of sight.

Kind REgards Peter.

 

[edlea]

The wood doesn't look to bad Ed, it certainly comes up fine when finished ...

Your dead right Jim about taking a finish ..it comes up like glass. Once I get my new camera I'll get some shots of it.