Alligator Wrestling

[broitblat]

This is from a set of alligator (bone) blanks I got from Robert Snowden.



I haven't turned a lot of bone/horn/antler, but this one was probably the most work of any pen I've ever attempted. The bone was extremely hard. I resharpened my (M2) tools at least a dozen times during the course of turning. Still, I had to throw a few other tricks at it including a file and a lot of sand paper. For all of that, one section was pretty punky, so I also used a lot of CA as I filled a series of holes that developed :-(

I like the way if came out, but I don't think I'll be doing a lot of these (I spent probably 3-4 hours on this one over 2 days).

Cheers,

-Barry

 

[guts]

Barry,That's a very nice looking pen,looks like all the hard work paid off.

 

[DKF]

Very nice......your extra time paid off.....

 

[snowman56]

Hey Barry, For your first and maybe (probably) your last gator pen, it looks darn right good. You did superior. It is the hardest thing I have ever turned, too. Turns my saw blade red when sawing up the bones. We just left the gator festival where we sold a few gator pens. They are my best sellers, but they do take a LOT of time and plenty of sharpening up the tools. Congrats! []

 

[Fred]

Very nice job! Well done. []

 

[broitblat]

Originally posted by snowman56
<br />Hey Barry, For your first and maybe (probably) your last gator pen, it looks darn right good. You did superior. It is the hardest thing I have ever turned, too. Turns my saw blade red when sawing up the bones. We just left the gator festival where we sold a few gator pens. They are my best sellers, but they do take a LOT of time and plenty of sharpening up the tools. Congrats! []

Robert,

I don't intend this to be my last, it's just not something I'll tackle every day [] I do like the looks of the result which is why I wanted to try these blanks in the first place.

Thanks to everyone else for you kind comments.

-Barry

 

[GaryMGg]

Barry,
That pen looks real good.

 

[OKLAHOMAN]

Barry, really nice, I've turned a couple of gator pens and have to agree its time comsuming just going back anf forth to the grinder.

 

[workinforwood]

Turned lots of antlers, no gators. Looks awesome. Your photo skills are really good too!