Abalone Sierra

[wortmanb]

This one was nerve-wracking. I destroyed the first abalone blank I tried to turn (the resin blew up over half the blank; the abalone's fine and I'm hopeful I can either repair it, recast it, or otherwise still find a use for it) so this one took a long time to turn.

And it's really hard stuff to focus the camera on!

This one's green heart abalone from Exotic Blanks.

 

[Hendu3270]

Good looking pen! Abalone is some pretty material.

 

[plantman]

Great looking pen Bret !! Jim S

 

[Charlie_W]

Looking good there Brett!

 

[mrcook4570]

It was well worth the extra time and effort. Beautiful pen!

 

[rich gubbin]

Wow that is stunning, excellent

 

[dozer]

Nice looking pen.

 

[yorkie]

Fantastic job!

 

[The Penguin]

I made the same pen for myself and use it as my daily carry - it definitely gets attention!

 

[redneckmedic]

For the busted blank...

I set all my cut offs, busted, and chunks in a small box then I relief my stress with them and a hammer in a zip-lock, collect the pieces then cast them.

 

[scottsheapens]

Very nice. Great jobs.

 

[Dalepenkala]

Wonderful looking pen Brett! I really like abalone pens!

 

[wortmanb]

For the busted blank...

I set all my cut offs, busted, and chunks in a small box then I relief my stress with them and a hammer in a zip-lock, collect the pieces then cast them.

I think about half the blank can be salvaged -- I was hoping to mate it with a strong solid-color acrylic, maybe black, and sandwich it between two other pieces. But I too have a tin filled with all my offcuts and random bits and sift through them occasionally. One day I'll start casting and then look out!

 

[Wright]

Beautiful pen. Looks great on that kit!

 

[hobbyist2013]

just gorgeous. I'm inspired. Thank You.

 

[MDWine]

I've been eye-balling that blank for a week now. She's a real beauty, and worth all of your anxiety to get her turned. That's beautiful!!

 

[mick]

Bret, I keep coming back to look at this pen. I think it's definitely the best looking Abalone pen I've ever seen! The hardware compliments the blank perfectly!

 

[wortmanb]

Thanks, everyone! Now to do it again... ;-)

 

[mikespenturningz]

Yes... Very nice indeed.

 

[Penl8the]

Hi Bret,

First of all, great looking pen. I like it.

Since there is no damage on the abalone shell strips, definitely recast it. I recast my mistakes all the time.

Good luck.

... I destroyed the first abalone blank I tried to turn (the resin blew up over half the blank; the abalone's fine and I'm hopeful I can either repair it, recast it,