Chrome Zen on a Brooks803 blank

[Bobalu]

This is my latest effort though sadly one that I'll soon dismantle. It's a chrome Zen on an orange and white blank that I asked Jonathon Brooks to make for me. I pushed a little too hard as I was installing the lower barrel end cap.I heard a sound that was distinctively that of plastic cracking. I didn't see it at first, but eventually saw a small distortion in the plastic that wasn't swirl. Thankfully I have 4 more blanks like this, but it's a shame to waste even one that is this pretty.

 

[EarlD]

Yes, Bob, it's a shame to break that blank. It looks good enough to eat. Let us see the next one.
Earl

 

[Jgrden]

Love the color.

 

[Brooks803]

Aw man that sucks! It might be fixable, I'd hate for one to go to waste, especially one that turned out that cool.

 

[boxerman]

Very nice pen.

 

[Bobalu]

I may hold off on the demolition for awhile. I'm sitting here trying to find the crack this morning and can't spot it. I've got some service calls to make in TN next week. I think I'll take it with me and see if it gets any interest.

 

[WoodenWhatknots]

That's a really nice looking pen. I've always really like the look of the Zen, makes me want to make one.

 

[cnirenberg]

Great looking pen. I like the color.

 

[G1Pens]

Love the Zen. Love the blank (Jonathan does great stuff). Love the expertise you applied to pull it all together and create a beautiful pen.

 

[Haynie]

Nice. I needed to find a small crack in a piece of plastic once. If you get some flour or powdered sugar and wipe it around the pen, if the crack is really there the powder should show it. If the powder does not show it I would not worry about it.

 

[Tanner]

Beautiful Pen! I'm starting to like those Zen kits.

 

[Bobalu]

Nice. I needed to find a small crack in a piece of plastic once. If you get some flour or powdered sugar and wipe it around the pen, if the crack is really there the powder should show it. If the powder does not show it I would not worry about it.

Thanks for the tip. I gave your suggestion a try with some flour. I did not detect a crack in the barrel using this method, but it sure pointed out that my pen mill isn't giving me the best cut. The flour found just the tiniest of a gap between the barrel and the hardware. Now that I have some sunlight to view the pen in, I can see a line that might be an internal fracture. Then again, it might just be the reflection created by the pigment. Time will tell.

BTW - Just in case Penman1 should see this post, the flour I used was White Lily. Wouldn't be caught with any other flour on my pens. :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

 

[Bobalu]

Beautiful Pen! I'm starting to like those Zen kits.

Thanks. I've become quite fond of this pen style myself. Easier to make than a Sierra, yet a much more elegant looking finished product. I love the magnetic cap, and wish there were more pens out there with this feature. PSI offers the Magnetic Vertex, but its utilitarian design doesn't put it in the same class.

 

[Haynie]

does the magnetic cap play havoc with credit card strips? I would worry about ladies' purses.

 

[Phunky_2003]

does the magnetic cap play havoc with credit card strips? I would worry about ladies' purses.

My wife has one of these. She's never had a problem with her credit cards, not that I would complain if it did lol.

 

[Phunky_2003]

Bob,
Very nice pen. I really like that!

 

[ToddMR]

I think it is a pretty good looking blank. Pitty you might have to trash it, but great you have more. I need to do a Zen at some point. I keep telling myself that. The swirls in that are awesome.

 

[Bobalu]

does the magnetic cap play havoc with credit card strips? I would worry about ladies' purses.

Good question. Here is an article I just found regarding that subject:

http://www.ehow.com/about_5365431_do-magnets-ruin-credit-cards.html

Apparently they can demagnetize a credit card. I guess I'll have to give the pen to my wife and test this out.:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin: