Japanese Maple

[Drstrangefart]

Turned this from some Japanese Maple I scored from work. It's a soft wood that likes tearing away. Took some heavy working with the sandpaper and a lot of work on the finish to turn some flaws into features (Gotta love sales guy talk...).

 

[Drstrangefart]

I'm gonna guess this one was not a home run. It looks a bit better in person. Anyone thing a different centerband could help it out?

 

[kludge77]

If you're honestly looking for feedback, then yes, the color seems off a bit on the centerband. Not sure... Maybe a darker contrast to show off the maple? When I cover up the centerband with my finger I prefer the pen.

Blackwood goes with almost everything, but even something like Mesquite might work. The green is just too distracting for my tastes.

That being said the finish and the maple both look good!

 

[Drstrangefart]

If you're honestly looking for feedback, then yes, the color seems off a bit on the centerband. Not sure... Maybe a darker contrast to show off the maple? When I cover up the centerband with my finger I prefer the pen.

Blackwood goes with almost everything, but even something like Mesquite might work. The green is just too distracting for my tastes.

That being said the finish and the maple both look good!

I'll start the hunt for a new cb. I was thinking it'd go with the gold kit, but I am disappoint.

 

[bitshird]

The wood looks great, but the CB throws it off. I'd do like Peter said and try some contrasting wood.

 

[Drstrangefart]

Tried corian. I think it looks better than the other one in the picture, but not as good in real life. Odd.....

 

[LeeR]

Tried corian. I think it looks better than the other one in the picture, but not as good in real life. Odd.....

It may be just me, but I'd think a chrome kit would be a better solution with a CB of a contrasting color. The gold color to me would blend better with a wooden CB in a color of brown that contrasts with the maple, and that could be a light to dark brown.

 

[Drstrangefart]

Tried corian. I think it looks better than the other one in the picture, but not as good in real life. Odd.....

It may be just me, but I'd think a chrome kit would be a better solution with a CB of a contrasting color. The gold color to me would blend better with a wooden CB in a color of brown that contrasts with the maple, and that could be a light to dark brown.

I agree at this point. I think I'm just gonna shelf this one. I really need some practice making them fit these pens out of wood. Maybe it'll sell as it is, or I'll hit the mark on one.

 

[boxerman]

Nice pen and wood.

 

[snyiper]

I like the wood the pen is made from very nice but the center band looks to have several things that strike me, the green is out the Corian is a bit too busy with the spots. Try a dark brown wood like a walnut or Bubinga for a centerband. The centerband looks like it may be underturned a bit, the shape of the pen stops there and dosent seem to flow if that makes any sense.

 

[Drstrangefart]

I like the wood the pen is made from very nice but the center band looks to have several things that strike me, the green is out the Corian is a bit too busy with the spots. Try a dark brown wood like a walnut or Bubinga for a centerband. The centerband looks like it may be underturned a bit, the shape of the pen stops there and dosent seem to flow if that makes any sense.

You're making sense. Sometimes these pens come together with no fuss, and then sometimes this happens and you have to kill yourself to make it look right.

 

[snyiper]

Well what Ill do on occasion is toss it in a box with the others and one day you may or may not get inspired to try something else, if not it is a good give away or carry pen....

 

[Gary Beasley]

Yep, look for something colored along the lines of the darkest spots in the knots.

 

[Jgrden]

I think it is the right center band. The color is a nice accent.