Do you think I'm ugly?

[PaulSF]

This is some amboyna burl I just finished turning and finishing. Before I assemble everything together, I thought I'd solicit some opinion as to whether one of the pieces is ugly or not. As you can see, there's a light area at the end of the cap piece. To me, it doesn't fit aesthetically, but it is part of the same blank as everything else.

So, should I junk these pieces and start anew?

 

[el_d]

Paul I love the two tone amboyna look....

 

[shepardscross]

Will the clip cover most of it?
If you don't like it you can always start over.
I like the look of the blanks, I would also probably put the pen together and use it myself.
Always a conversation starter when I pull a pen out of my pocket to use for something, and usually only I can tell if there is something wrong with it.
Just my .02

 

[Glenn McCullough]

Its kinda like Daine Sawyer, who has such fuzzy camera filters you cant see her wrinkles....same here, can you get us a bit better detail?

 

[JBCustomPens]

Two-tone amboyna fits the eye of many, but if it doesn't fit your eye, you could put the clip over the sapwood portion. Your opinion is the one that matters.

 

[Rmartin]

Not ugly, blurry.

What kit is it for? If the lighter part goes towards the top, I think it will look A-OK

 

[Ligget]

Two tone Amboyna is considered a beautiful wood for pen barrels by many penturners!

 

[ZanderPommo]

i like the look of a sapwood/heartwood pen
while i think yours looks great I still think more of a 50/50 heartwood/sapwood mix is better

 

[TheRealSmith]

My rule of thumb is.... if it came that way in nature its perfect use it. A defect only bothers the person who sees it as such. Many times I have spent extra time on a pen just because my eye is so critical but ironicly most people never see what we see if you get my drift :wink:

 

[PaulSF]

Sorry about the blurriness. I really have problems getting a good pic with that camera. I would probably put that portion where the clip is, if only because I made a little chip at the end when sanding off some excess CA.

This is going on a Jr. Retro kit.

Thanks for the feedback! I figured it's sort of a woodworker insider thing, but that ordinary civilians might not appreciate what's going on. I hate to junk the blank, because the swirls are really fascinating.

 

[sefali]

 

[Robert Sherlock]

Another vote for the two tone heart / sap wood Amboyna

 

[JBCustomPens]

This is funny, 12 replies, 13 views! Amazing!

 

[Oldwagon]

I would leave it.Don't cover it. Todd

 

[JohnU]

I like it! You cant go wrong with Amboyna. Any Amboyna (good, bad, ugly)..... its all good! I like the sap wood and prefer to have more of it. Contrast and Character !

 

[PaulSF]

The nays have it! It is not ugly. I'll assemble it tomorrow AM and post some pics (ideally not blurred!).

 

[altaciii]

The wood came that way and I'm sure the buyer will buy it just because of it. Leave it, it will give the pen its own character. If not then send it to me, I'll make sure it will find a great home.

 

[mick]

Paul....I've sold every two tone amboyna pen I've ever made if that tells you anything.
They usually don't last past the first show when I put one out!
it'll make a great looking pen, instead of trying to hide something like that with a clip, place the clip so it shows off the sapwood.

 

[jttheclockman]

I do not think anyone can make an ugly pen using that wood weather it has sap wood in it or not. Your choice but it is nice wood. If you arenot using a tripod you should do so. Anytime you take a photo that close will show fuzzyness unless that camera is still.

 

[David Keller]

I love the sapwood. If you don't, pack the rest of them up and send them my way.:wink:

 

[PaulSF]

Here it is:

 

[Vol1]

I think it looks great!

 

[theHullTurn]

Finished product looks excellent! In my opinion good thing you didnt chuck them!

 

[Rojo22]

Amboyna is like ice cream....none of its bad! Great job with the pen.

 

[Mack C.]

GOD never made an ugly tree!

 

[PaulSF]

Thank you all!!!

 

[jimofsanston]

very good looking pen.