Thread: Hairy Oak Lifestyle

Nice looking!!! The pen kit kinda looks like the sculptured kit we have in the states. I too like that kit. Let us know how the sap wood holds up.

It's the girly band in the middle that does it...men are plain, bold, outspoken, leaders, powerful beasts etc.

i like that band, pwetty ain't it? he trilled, then danced off singing merrily.

Skew of all the pens I have made and shown or given away the most accepted pens have been hairy oak.I avoid the sapwood of nearly everything as I do heavy spalting,although in species like gidgee it can be used to advantage it is always uncertain in softness or strength,there are so many variables without these I count that out. An interesting variable is cut across the grain. I agree with your comment on the gender of the kit you used and in the hands of a woman it would be both good and suitable,since thankfully the world is made up with about 50 percent of men and woman you will please as many as any other way.In time I will stick to slimlines for the simple lines and simple costs,in saying that I love sleek one off cars etc and can admire the exotic pens made from uber expensive kits,just not prepared to go that way,some kits now remind me of cars in the 50 s and 60 s accented on chrome excessive style,sizes and shapes where the real heart the timber is overpowered by the hardware. Using my oft repeated De Walt Extreme 2 drills I do not have the probs you mentioned in drilling hairy oak and I agree its hard but nice to turn.

Originally Posted by Penpal

I avoid the sapwood of nearly everything

I would too, for the reason you mentioned.. but once in a while,something jumps out at you.

I turned a chunk of fairly ordinary looking cedar the other day and rather than avoiding the knots, I just turned slower. When I oiled it, the color just jumped out. rather than the pale pink and yellow, I got a fiery orange and a deep purple. I'm going to look for more with lots of knots!

what beautiful wood. they are blinders. Well done that man.

I too love it when a plan comes together,you have inspired me to knot forget the sapwood any more,will post in the future pics to show that having a go depends on the stimulation. Peter

Originally Posted by Penpal

you have inspired me to knot forget the sapwood

Ha ha . Very punny

That's a great looking pen. The wood looks exceptional.

The kit is called the Perfect Fit Convertible made by Berea. Fortunately, they now offer alternate center bands. The pen can also be turned into a pencil simply by inserting the optional pencil mechanism instead of the ink refill.

very cool Skew. Hey you been busy building a stand?? I have not seen that before looks good.
Nice pens there skew and newlondon. Very nice

New london when you say you used the oil. What oil did you use?
Toni

Only one day old and already the finish has matted off. Hardly surprising, really, considering 'twas used this morning for a fairly lengthy letter-writing session, even though I asked 'em to leave it alone for a week so the finish had time to cure properly.

I'm thinking it may be a Danish Oil & CA type of wood. I'll disassemble and repolish this one and make another with DO/CA then do another comparison.

Originally Posted by tashammer

i like that band, pwetty ain't it? he trilled, then danced off singing merrily.

You're incurable Tas. [shakes head]

Originally Posted by Woodpens

The kit is called the Perfect Fit Convertible made by Berea. Fortunately, they now offer alternate center bands. The pen can also be turned into a pencil simply by inserting the optional pencil mechanism instead of the ink refill.

Hmmm... I'm pretty sure I've a couple of their convertible kits in my stockpile. I'll have to do a comparison. It'd be nice if they're still available in one form or another, they're a nice pen and it has a very smooth mechanism. A bit different to the usual slimline-type mech. Thanks for the pointer.

Originally Posted by lubbing5cherubs

very cool Skew. Hey you been busy building a stand?? I have not seen that before looks good.

'Tis a 5 minute knock-together. After seeing how others have been displaying their pens well... I thought I'd make like a sheep. BAAAA!

Originally Posted by lubbing5cherubs

New london when you say you used the oil. What oil did you use?
Toni

Anything that will make the grain pop... anything in the shop. Danish, tung, BLO . mineral oil .. although if it is mineral oil I only use it under something that will seal. (mineral oil will eventually dry out of not topcoated) The oils should be ok under a friction polish, because those polishes usually have oils in them. I don't think I'd use it under a lacquer or urethane because without some sort of barrier coat, it might delaminate later on.