Gator Crazy - Lot's of Pictures

[tkbarron]

Hey All,

It's been a crazy busy summer and family life has forever changed since my father-in-law suffered a major stroke in late May. What free time I've had has been spent casting for Exotic Blanks.

I did manage to squeeze in a few turns and would like to share them with you. Not all are pens but they are all most certainly gator.



First the pens.

I have an Electra rollerball matched with a new Black Magic blank. This is the same blank Ed is using for his new video series. It's become my new carry pen.

Next are a pair of bolt action gators. One dressed in Mangrove Red and the other in Turquoise Blues. The red pen was turned a few weeks ago at the Dallas area pen turners meeting. Thanks to all who attended for letting me share.

The last pen is a Triton rollerball featuring a Cajun Gator Geauxld blank. I packed the tooth holes with gold metal flake and then cast the bone in Alumilite resin mixed with more of the gold flake.



Now on to the other stuff.

First, I have a shaving brush turned from a Biloxi Blues stopper blank. I was really pleased with this piece since it was my first attempt at turning a brush.

Next are a pair of bottle stoppers, one using a Mangrove Red blank and the other Biloxi Blues. These were finish on my 3 wheel buffer for an extraordinary shine.

Last but not least is my first attempt at making a knife. I came up with this concept several months ago but haven't had the nerve to try one myself. I cast the knife scales using Alumilite in Mangrove Red color, mixed with some metal flake. It's a 6" skinner (2 1/4" blade) that also includes brass pins and black G-10 liners. This was a dream to make though like any new attempt is was quite unnerving. Remember to always tape your blade when grinding and buffing! I'm pretty happy with the result, however I may take it back to the grinder to shave some thickness from the handle.

All comments and criticisms are welcome!!

Thanks,

Tom

PS - Check out this YouTube video. It's from an early July trip my son and I took to the Louisiana Bayou. And no, that isn't a nervous chuckle on my part! Zam's Gator Surprise - YouTube

 

[plano_harry]

Tim, those are good looking pens but I have to say -- that knife has a pretty high gore factor!

Harry

 

[renowb]

Tom, I like those! Nice job. I just ordered one from Exotics.

 

[tkbarron]

Thanks guys. The knife was a real trip to make. It was so much different than turning a pen but almost as fun.

Some gator scales were sent to Chris Williams several months ago. He's a professional knifemaker in South Carolina who has won several awards for his work. He turned out this piece which blows my little knife away.

Alligator Jawbone | Facebook

Tom

 

[dplloyd]

I like the GAtor-Stoppers!

 

[longbeard]

WOW!
Very nice Tom, i have a mangrove blank that i should be able to turn this evening, looks great on the BA pen, i'm thinking about putting mine on a chrome atrax RB or FP.

 

[tkbarron]

I used CA to seal the stoppers but instead of wet sanding with MM I used a 3 wheel buffer to finish. I think this may be my new favorite method for finishing gator pens as well. For me, the buffing option just added that much gloss to the jawbone. It blends the finish of the bone and resin better, IMHO.

The knife has no CA on it at all and yet it took an amazing shine with the buffer. How long the shine will hold up is yet to be determined. If I decide to thin the handle on the grinder then I will probably give the bone a good soaking in thin CA before final sanding and buffing. That should leave it stronger with an even better seal and finish.

Tom

 

[tkbarron]

WOW!
Very nice Tom, i have a mangrove blank that i should be able to turn this evening, looks great on the BA pen, i'm thinking about putting mine on a chrome atrax RB or FP.

I like the Atrax kit but wish it came with a GM option. That would also look really nice paired with the red gator. I used GM for the red BA and chrome for the blue one.

Please post your pen when you finish it. I'd love to see it!

Thanks,

Tom

 

[maxman400]

Very Cool. Great Looking stuff.

 

[snowman56]

Gator

Very nice work

 

[toyotaman]

Great looking pens and stoppers. I'm looking for some nice gator jaws myself for some nice pens. Where is a good place to find them?

 

[edicehouse]

That knife is awesome

 

[JohnU]

Beautiful work Tom. I love the gator blanks and just got in about six of them to make for the family. Sorry to hear about your father in law. I hope things are getting better for you and the family.

 

[Fishinbo]

Cool stuffs. I like the bloody feel of the knife.

 

[tkbarron]

Beautiful work Tom. I love the gator blanks and just got in about six of them to make for the family. Sorry to hear about your father in law. I hope things are getting better for you and the family.

Thanks John! You know how every family has that one guy (or gal) that everybody loves, respects and admires? He's that guy. As he likes to say, "It sucks to get old".

Tom

 

[McBryde]

Those are some great looking pens and stoppers, but I'm digging the knife the most!

E

 

[joefrog]

Amazing! I love the look of it!