2 Pens in Massur Birch

[wizer]

Neil Dyball sent me these blanks some time ago now. The main reason I hadn't got round to turning them was that I'd bought an 8mm pen mandrell. Up until yesterday I couldn't bare to shell out more money for another mandrel as I don't think I'll be turning a great deal of pens. But I was desperate to turn some Massur Birch, so needs must.

The top one was finished using the CA/BLO method as in the vid that greggy posted the other day. It didn't work and I'm not sure why. I followed it exactly but I just could not get it to shine. I didn't use the plastic polish (because I don't have any) so maybe that's it. To be honest I don't know what to expect from a CA finish so maybe it's ok. It's flawless and smooth, just not shiney or glasslike, as I was expecting.

The bottom one is my favourite and interestingly this was a blank Neil threw in as a bonus as he thought it had less figure. Well I must say I like it very much. I used a Shellac based sanding sealer followe by ren wax. It appears to keep the wood much lighter which was the whole reason I bought the shallac.

The kits were from Vince.

They're not absolutely perfectly turned, but I'm quite chuffed all the same.

 

[hog&bodge]

Stunning looking pens wizer I like the top pen. I watched greggy's
vid & saw the mirror finish but I feel yours look more natural and tactile
perhaps it is the deep grain in the top pen...
Whoever uses them will get years of enjoyment...
Thanks for showing them.

 

[stevebuk]

they look the business Tom, i like the look of the Massur birch, dont know if the dust is harmful or not.
You dont really need CA to get a shine on wood, i think its the added benefit of a coating to protect the wood, having said that, i dont use it all the time.

 

[cornucopia]

the top one has my vote tom-very nice

 

[greggy]

tom, you are right. they are not perfect. BUT you show me a pen thats perfect and i will call you a liar to your face.
well to me they look absalutly great. you have brought uot the figure perfectly. in my eyes you did a fantastic job. deffinatly two to be proud of. \/

 

[The Shark]

Hi Tom,
Thanks for sharing the pens.
My favourite is the top one, but they both look good.
I sent off for a mandrel last night as it was one of the items I didn't get at Woodex, so watch this space :lol:

Malc

 

[beejay]

Two very nice pens Tom.
The top one is my favourite but that's due to the shape. I prefer slimmer pens.
Very nice work on both and lovely blanks.
regards, beejay

 

[wizer]

isn't that funny. Clearly I have no taste Are the others liking the top one because of the shape? What do you think of the lighter finish?

In use, I still prefer the bottom one. It just feels nicer to me. But tbh I rarely use a pen these days. It's coming to work for the odd note. Tho it'll be locked in my drawer over night as things seem to go missing around my desk :evil:

 

[The Shark]

Hi Tom,
I prefer the top pen for 2 reasons: 1) The shape appeals to me more to the eye, but that is personal taste and obviously I haven't held either so can't comment on how they feel. 2) I think there is better grain on the top one.
Can't really distinguish between the two as regards finish, other than the top one looks a bit darker which I prefer.

Anyway, don't get too anal about them, they are both nice pens and you should be proud of them.

HTH

Malc

 

[Neil Dyball]

Hi Tom,

Just thought I'd add my 'twopennarth'.

I'm in the camp that prefers the 'top' pen, both because of the shape and the figure. But nice work on both of them!


Stevebuk, Masur Birch is no more harmful than any other Birch. The 'figure' in it is a result of self-healing (of insect damage) by the tree - kind of like scar tissue I suppose.


Cheers,

Neil.

 

[boysie39]

Tom, send them over to me and I'll try them out, they both look Fab. well done as usuall. REgards Boysie

 

[wizer]

Thanks again Neil. Glad I finally got round to turning them.

 

[CHJ]

Prefer the smooth flow shape of the top one Tom, either are fine by me for wood figuring, any preference on that score would be lost as soon as the two were parted.

 

[wizer]

Stiles and Bates had loads of Massur logs and I was so tempted. But they were'nt big enough for the size bowls I want to do. Perfect for hollow forms or vases but at something like £50 for a log about 4in. dia x 19in. long it was too much for my unskilled hands :lol:

 

[cornucopia]

Stiles and Bates had loads of Massur logs and I was so tempted. But they were'nt big enough for the size bowls I want to do. Perfect for hollow forms or vases but at something like £50 for a log about 4in. dia x 19in. long it was too much for my unskilled hands :lol:

I bought a couple of those last year tom they are superb quality logs.

I prefer the top pen for the shape and colouration of the wood

 

[stewart]

Nice work - yes, I too prefer the shape of the top one but the grain on both is great. Another wood to add to my list of things to try!