Thread: experimenting with pen shapes

The shapes are all fairly pleasing to the eye, the two with the burn detail would look a bit plain without. As they stand they look perfectly saleable.

The real question for the more unusual shapes is: how do they feel in the hand? Not much point in having a fantastically beautiful pen if your hand cramps up after a minute or two of using it...

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

The shapes are all fairly pleasing to the eye, the two with the burn detail would look a bit plain without. As they stand they look perfectly saleable.

The real question for the more unusual shapes is: how do they feel in the hand? Not much point in having a fantastically beautiful pen if your hand cramps up after a minute or two of using it...

thanx skew, it is the kind of info and opinion i want

We need a brighter picture, but I think they are all reany nice, and would be able to be up for sale.

Originally Posted by Auzzie turner

We need a brighter picture,

here it is

thats better, just make sure you always mae the wood go down even to the brassring, pen nib, and top button. Pens with the wood not lining up are horrible, I'm not saying yours are. Lovely pieces,

Regards............Joash

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

The shapes are all fairly pleasing to the eye, the two with the burn detail would look a bit plain without. As they stand they look perfectly saleable.

The real question for the more unusual shapes is: how do they feel in the hand? Not much point in having a fantastically beautiful pen if your hand cramps up after a minute or two of using it...

just as Skew says, it needs to feel good in the hands. i dont make pens, mainly bowls and lidded containers, but the tactileness(feel) of a peice is as important as the finished shape/form, regardless of the finished item
the burnt grooves look good too

Stirlo I got one thought though, if you have gone past the centre band, Is the wood still strong down there or is that a weakened area? I have no idea just wondering that is all. As I said I still like the bottom one the most
Toni

Stirlo, I agree with other comments...if the pen's not comfortable, it's not good. I have six pens, of various shapes, sitting on the table by my chair. I use them all, at various times, for doing my crossword of a night, and any writing I want to do. Been doing this for 3 weeks now, and have found that some of them are downright horrible to use. Just don't fit the hand comfortably, so I find them awkward to use. The main area, I found, is down around the writing end. If your fingers arn't comfortable here, you can't write properly (IMO). I suggest you do a similar trial, you'll soon find out what works, and what doesn't.

Of course, if the pen isn't meant to be functional, then you don't have a problem. And you can save the cost of the pen kit, and just give them a (really arty-farty) piece of turned wood.

thanx guys for the comments, i agree with if it aint comfortable its not good but you dont know what will be comfortable till you try it so thatts what hese trial/ experiments were actuallly really for.

toni, as far as i can tell, the wood is as strong.