Elephant ivory jr emperor

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altaciii

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Jan 17, 2008
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corpus christi, texas, USA.
This pen was commissioned by a local hunter and pen collector. He had already purchased my Jr emperor huanghauali pen and asked if I could locate some preban elephant ivory. Well... I did and he said get it. Ivory $165, hardware $64, special box $35, time and care priceless.
I had invested a lot in the pen and didn't want any flaws or else it would be difficult to recoup my losses. Took 3 days to drill and shape and polish. In the end, a quite happy customer. Still having problems with the camera. (or is it me?) I like the contrast of the white ivory and gold on the black backround but the camera seems to have a mind of its own and has a sort of yellowish hue to it.
 

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Bree

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Jun 19, 2009
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Buffalo, NY
Dayum! How often do you see something like that!! Just incredible! Terrific job!
:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
 

ed4copies

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Mar 25, 2005
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Racine, WI, USA.
FANTASTIC job, Alex!!!

Dead-on at every junction, worth a pretty quarter (inflation since the "pretty penny" days)!!
 

jttheclockman

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Feb 22, 2005
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Location
NJ, USA.
Now that is one of the nicest pens I have seen here. Very well done. Can you tell us a little about turning it and what tools you used, what finish you used and how was it applied, what and how you drilled it and what you used to cool the bit, ???? Did you encounter any major difficulties outside of nerves??? Thanks for showing us such a great material and pen. One other question, do you know if this will change colors with age???
 

sgimbel

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Dec 23, 2008
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Location
Round Rock, Texas
How much ivory do you get for $165? Can I ask what you got for it? It should have been a bunch. I agree it's one of the best I have ever seen!
 

altaciii

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Jan 17, 2008
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1,238
Location
corpus christi, texas, USA.
I have to admit it was highway robbery. 3/4x3/4x5" and the guy was rude. They sell pre ban ivory cut to size. The waste batches are quite a bit less. They sell smaller sizes for less but I had to have the length and wanted a size large enough to drill the 12.5 hole.



How much ivory do you get for $165? Can I ask what you got for it? It should have been a bunch. I agree it's one of the best I have ever seen!
 

Noah

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Oct 2, 2008
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Location
Austin, Tx
Absolutely beautiful work...top of the line pen from a craftsman...
Got to be proud of that one...
Ed
 

toolcrazy

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Dec 23, 2006
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Port Orchard, WA
The reason for the yellow on the black background is your white balance is off. Most auto white balances can't compensate for the stark contrast.

Beautiful pen. Nice work.
 

jtdesigns

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Nov 9, 2009
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193
Location
Powell, OH
+1 on the white balance. If using flash in a photo tent just set your white balance to FLASH. Beautiful pen by the way.
 

PenPal

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Nov 29, 2006
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Location
Canberra, A.C.T., Australia.
Alex

Distinctly good turning with an appropriate choice of kit.

Your photography worries remind me of my other life in the 1950,s photographing weddings in Black and White before colour. The Bride sure wanted detail white and with the Grooms inevitable black suit I still have nervous memories of printing those pics.

Try google re Ivory turning there are still some old turners about one whose name escapes me goes into some detail re Ivory turning from memory it was mostly scraping like using a Skew on the flat. All after the event I know but quite satisfying the way you beat the beast of Ivory into submission. Lovely Pen.

Peter.
 

greggas

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Jun 21, 2009
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North Easton, MA
Alex, Beautiful pen. I have a client who has ordered three made from ivory ( painful whne i got the bills for those banks) I have been hesitating on starting them since they cost s damn much...little room for error..how did you find the workability of the ivory...any advise other than sharp tools and patience??

thanks and again...great job

Greg
 

altaciii

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Jan 17, 2008
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Location
corpus christi, texas, USA.
Iwas most worried about the drilling. I didn't know if there was a certain speed I should drill at. I drilled the 10.5 first going about a 1/4" at a time, letting the ivory and the drill cool down for about 10-15 mins. The 12.5 is brand new so I wasn't to worried about it other than getting it dead center. I stopped several times to hone the skew during the turning and tbc. Man did it shine after polishing. Am delivering it today.



Alex, Beautiful pen. I have a client who has ordered three made from ivory ( painful whne i got the bills for those banks) I have been hesitating on starting them since they cost s damn much...little room for error..how did you find the workability of the ivory...any advise other than sharp tools and patience??

thanks and again...great job

Greg
 

drayman

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Joined
Jul 29, 2007
Messages
676
Location
barnsley
alex, that sure is the best looking pen you have made. well done on a super job. it's worth a few shillings of antones money.
 
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