The "Other" Snake Skin - CRACKED!!!!!

[Fangar]

I held my breath the whole time. It came out nice in the end. No major issues actually. Pheewww.

It is a Snakewood Baron, BLO / CA finish, with a Platinum Kit.

I have a feeling that when I get to work today and show it to one of my repeat customers, it will be gone. Good thing I got a photo or two first.

Thanks for looking,

Fangar

 

[Rifleman1776]

Outstanding. Be sure to charge plenty.

 

[Ligget]

That is probably the best lookin pen I have ever seen!![]

 

[gpadgham]

Nice Pen... who is your supplier for snakewood? I have a hard time finding the stuff...

 

[Czarcastic]

WOW is that pretty!!!

What a phenomenal looking pen and fabulous finish!!!

Truly a masterpiece.

 

[mrcook4570]

That is sharp!

 

[Scott]

Fangar!

That is a truly beautiful pen! Excellent work!

Scott.

 

[Checked]

Just as good as it gets
Rex

 

[Fangar]

Thanks guys! I purchased the blank from BB at arizona silhouette. I think it was about 4.50 or so. Very small though. Just at 5/8". So drilling for the Baron is like a project in nuclear calibration (Ok I made that up). He sells some nice stock. He does not mess around with sending you anything other than the best in my experience.

The price is set high! []

I know she will... "Bite".

Cheers,

James

EDIT:

I just checked back. He sells 3/4" for 4.95. DOH!

James

 

[alamocdc]

I agree with Czar, James! WOW!!! [^][]

 

[gpadgham]

Hrmmm, I get stuff from BB regularly... can't say I've noticed the Snakewood before... guess I'll be adding that to my BB order list... Unfortunately, that list usually grows faster than I can make it shrink... heh

 

[its_virgil]

Beautiful pen. Beautiful finish. Excellent job overall. I love snakewood but....I hope it doesn't crack. I love ebony, the olive wood from Israel, and snakewood, but I'm tired of getting returns that have cracked. Hope you have better luck with the snakewood than I have.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

 

[gpadgham]

I also understand Snakewood can crack pretty readily. Anyone know how soon that happens after turning or finishing? I'd make some, but wonder how long I should keep them in stock to ensure they are stable enough to sell / give away.

 

[WoodChucker]

That's a beautiful pen for sure! I love the colors,is that the way it came or did you dye it? All the other ones I've seen have been brown. I like them too,but this one is really different, great job!

 

[JimGo]

James, that is beautiful! Great job all around - shape, finish, and photo!

Gerrit, from what I understand, it isn't necessarily a time-based issue; it is typically environmental.

 

[tinker]

Wow, that is what I mean by man made materials not matching natural wood for appeal. That is a beautiful pen. Baron pens are definitely on my list to do now.

 

[swm6500]

James, that is an awesome looking pen. Surely nothing that beautiful would decide to crack now.

 

[Tom McMillan]

Nice work---that's a beauty!!![]

 

[Gary Max]

Dang----that pen would be hard to part with---is one of the best I have seen posted---perfect.

 

[PenWorks]

Great pen James, one of my favorite woods !

 

[GregD]

Nice pen! Awsome finish! Did I say nice pen? Awsome finish!

 

[Fleabit]

Some outstanding looking wood. The workmanship is pretty darn good too[]

 

[dubdrvrkev]

WOW, very impressive. Outstanding F&F, very nice craftsmanship!

 

[DCBluesman]

Beautiful pen, James. I wish you better luck than I have had with snakewood. The last of the pens I made from snakewood just developed a crack after nearly eight months of use. From now on I only make snakewood upon customer request and I do not warranty nor guarantee them against cracking. Same thing with Gaboon ebony.

 

[mikes pens]

How come my photos never turn out that nice? Great pen, great picture.

 

[arjudy]

Really awesome pen and the finish is even better. WOW!

 

[Deere41h]

WOW!!!That is really beautiful. Nice job. Thanks for sharing it with us. Makes me want to try snakewood even with it's reputation.

 

[woodscavenger]

That is stunning.

 

[BigRob777]

Wow,
No wonder snakewood is so expensive. That is a tremendous job and the finish looks perfect. I hope the rock didn't scratch it. I like everything about it.
I have a half blank of the material that I'm saving until I have a good number of pens under my belt.

 

[Fangar]

Thanks to all very much. I got some serious interest today when I showed the pen around. So much so that I decided to keep it for myself []. I figure it will intrique a lot of interest for me that way. Also, with the questions of cracking raised, it won't matter to me. I'll watch and see. I plan on getting a few more of the blanks though, just for the vaults.

James

 

[Old Griz]

Great looking pen James...
now you made me go and do it.. was placing an order with Bill anyway, so added 2 snakewood 3/4" blanks to it...

 

[dougle40]

Fantastic looking pen .

 

[Fangar]

Originally posted by Old Griz
<br />Great looking pen James...
now you made me go and do it.. was placing an order with Bill anyway, so added 2 snakewood 3/4" blanks to it...

Great! It has to be done. I end up ordering from Bill at least once a month, usually twice. Been busy.

2 days and no cracks.... Gulp.

James

 

[Old Griz]

Keep me informed James... I ain't building mine until I find out if yours cracked.. [}][}]

 

[Jim in Oakville]

Great Pen and wonderful photograph!

 

[dancrafted]

WOW, NICE PEN.

 

[Rifleman1776]

The responses, including mine, say it all. Beautiful. This pen has drawn a lot of attention. The expressions of admiration support my philosophy that the beauty is all in the wood. [and some other natural products] The craftsmanship brings that beauty out. Some here do it better than the rest of us. Your selection of wood and craftsmanship epitomize what we are striving for.

 

[MDWine]

I guess you don't need one more weighing in, especially in light of my lack of experience... but I gotta say one thing...

WOW!

That sure is a pretty pen... in all respects! I sure hope it doesn't ... you know... c###### (I ain't gonna say it!)

I sure would like to tackle that kind of wood some time.

Very nice job all 'round!

 

[ed4copies]

Griz,

Have you turned snakewood successfully? Have you considered having it stabilized?

I only turned one pen, years ago before stabilizing had entered penmaking, when it cracked I was really crushed-haven't turned it since. BUT, would like to make a pen that looks like that if it were stabilized.

 

[Old Griz]

Ed, have never turned snakewood... and I heard somewhere it does not take stabilization... I think if it did BillB would offer it that way... I may have to give him a call and ask about it...