Thread: Does a pen need to be flat?

Russell,
If the texture fits the style of pen, then there is nothing wrong with it.

However, why don't you make a series of sanding blocks that are a few inches long and straight, and you can progressively sand the surface smooth, "flat" and to the finish that is called for. You just lay the whole length of the block on the blank while it is spinning, and viola (spelt incorrectly on purpose) your blank is now round and straight.

As far as the finish is called for remark, I also feel that not every pen is meant to be super-gloss shiny so bright it reflects back to the sun finished.
I feel some woods and meterials look better with a matte or semi-gloss finish

Jerry

I think it does not matter all that matters is that the buyer or recipient likes it whether it is lumpy, smooth. glossy, Matt or whatever.

Having said that from a personal opinion I like a smooth finish but that is just me.

Could you use a finish like CA or WOP and build it up so you can smooth it off without touching the clay? Just a thought.

I am yet to discover a definitive set of rules for how a pen should be , in the absence of such information I turn to size of fittings (matches bushes if lucky) hehe, then let the market place decide everything else , in the end the receiver is the final arbiter of good and bad

the pens that are coming off that pen wizard gizmo thingy are anything but flat

as another idea that you may have already tried, can you not finish it on the lathe be it sand or by tool, and then rebake it in the oven???

MIK

Originally Posted by MBUMIK

as another idea that you may have already tried, can you not finish it on the lathe be it sand or by tool, and then rebake it in the oven???

MIK

No, it's not the fact it needs rebaking, but more the lathe turning tears at the texture and opens it up. It's only the 3rd one I've tried, so it may be just my technique that needs improving, or a different brand of clay. My next one will be Premo sculpey, which is recommended as one of the stronger clays, so we'll see how it goes.

Russell.

Discovered that, while making pens from deer antler, that the ones I leave a little of the “stag” or natural texture and shape on sell and are just as popular as the polished smooth “Ivory” finished ones…seem people learn to adapt to the shape and feel, especially if they like the look of the pen in the first place.