Spring 2014 Pen Photos

[toddlajoie]

Holy cow people are moving quickly on this one. I got a message today that the first pen in our Spring 2014 PITH featuring Found-On-Ground materials has arrived, so when you get them, post the photos here.

I can't wait to see what you all have come up with!!!

 

[Edgar]

I'm a big winner in this PITH in many ways. Not only did I have the good fortune to be the recipient of a Plantman (Jim Schumacher) pen -- he actually sent me two awesome pens and some great blanks. And - I didn't have to wait very long to get them.

The main pen is a Sugar Maple on a Gold Vertex Magnetic rollerball that came in a leather pen pouch. This wood came from a tree that Jim planted a little too near a stream on his property & was killed by the water flow undercutting the root system. Jim used a dark green alcohol ink to bring out the bird's eye pattern then an orange alcohol ink to bring out the warm, honey color. The chatoyancy of the maple is really great and Jim's CA finish really makes it quite showy.

The second pen is a Black Enamel .30 Cal Bolt Action that came in a clear top pen box. Jim made the blank for this pen from an Indian Hooded Cobra skin - talk about "found on the ground". This one is finished off with about 30 coats of thick CA.

The blanks are spalted oak, tamarac, cypress, marble wood and a gorgeous mystery blank that is some kind of highly figured spalted burl. The fit & finish on both pens are perfect - my pictures don't do them justice.

Thanks Jim - these pens will have a prominent place in my collection & I'm looking forward to giving these new blanks a whirl.

Edgar

 

[plantman]

I'm a big winner in this PITH in many ways. Not only did I have the good fortune to be the recipient of a Plantman (Jim Schumacher) pen -- he actually sent me two awesome pens and some great blanks. And - I didn't have to wait very long to get them.

The main pen is a Sugar Maple on a Gold Vertex Magnetic rollerball that came in a leather pen pouch. This wood came from a tree that Jim planted a little too near a stream on his property & was killed by the water flow undercutting the root system. Jim used a dark green alcohol ink to bring out the bird's eye pattern then an orange alcohol ink to bring out the warm, honey color. The chatoyancy of the maple is really great and Jim's CA finish really makes it quite showy.

The second pen is a Black Enamel .30 Cal Bolt Action that came in a clear top pen box. Jim made the blank for this pen from an Indian Hooded Cobra skin - talk about "found on the ground". This one is finished off with about 30 coats of thick CA.

The blanks are spalted oak, tamarac, cypress, marble wood and a gorgeous mystery blank that is some kind of highly figured spalted burl. The fit & finish on both pens are perfect - my pictures don't do them justice.

Thanks Jim - these pens will have a prominent place in my collection & I'm looking forward to giving these new blanks a whirl.

Edgar

Glad you enjoyed the pens Edgar !! It was fun making them for you. Jim S

 

[Cmiles1985]

I received my PITH pen today from mjsix, and it's stunning! A cedar/road kill 2x4 with a little soda can aluminum separation on a gold Patriot style component set! Thanks Michael! I love it!

 

[kingkeyman]

Got my PITH from mmyshrall today. He was kind enough to send some cool blanks too.

 

[jsolie]

I need to get going on my pen. My daughter's wedding is now in the rear view mirror, so I should have some time tomorrow. And I think I've found the blank I was intending to use!

 

[JasonC]

Received my PITH today. Black Ti/Platinum Sierra made from an awesome cast blank, but sadly I'm unsure what is cast into the blank. I initially thought it was mini pine cones but after seeing the extra blanks that were sent with the pen I'm lost. :redface:

Wife saw the pen and, as is to be expected, asked if it was for her.

Also included were some cool cast blanks. Since I've never worked with blanks like this I'm looking forward to putting them to use. I see some segmenting in the future for the layered blank.

 

[Edward Cypher]

Keep wife happy.

If wife is happy everyone is happy, besides you have the blanks to play with.

Received my PITH today. Black Ti/Platinum Sierra made from an awesome cast blank, but sadly I'm unsure what is cast into the blank. I initially thought it was mini pine cones but after seeing the extra blanks that were sent with the pen I'm lost. :redface:

Wife saw the pen and, as is to be expected, asked if it was for her.

Also included were some cool cast blanks. Since I've never worked with blanks like this I'm looking forward to putting them to use. I see some segmenting in the future for the layered blank.

 

[southernclay]

My PITH partner is bjbear76 and he crushed it! Bill sent me a TI Gold Sierra matched with cherry (from an ice storm felled branch) and segmented with red oak found in the barn of his sister in law. The pen is finished with Doctor's Woodshop Pens Plus and has a Schmidt EasyFlow 9000 refill (nice touch Bill). As you can see in the photos he included a piece of the Cherry branch and his branded box, again nice touch.

The fit, finish and segmenting work on this pen are awesome.

I appreciate Bill!
Warren

 

[Hendu3270]

Sent my PITH out yesterday. Should arrive on Saturday...

 

[billspenfactory]

This is the pith pen I sent Rounder. It was to be a fog but it is a fow. Found this piece of wood floating on a weed line about 36 miles off the coast of the North Carolina's outer banks while fishing about 2 years ago. Just think of the stories this piece of wood could tell.

 

[JasonC]

Received my PITH today. Black Ti/Platinum Sierra made from an awesome cast blank, but sadly I'm unsure what is cast into the blank. I initially thought it was mini pine cones but after seeing the extra blanks that were sent with the pen I'm lost. :redface:

Wife saw the pen and, as is to be expected, asked if it was for her.

Also included were some cool cast blanks. Since I've never worked with blanks like this I'm looking forward to putting them to use. I see some segmenting in the future for the layered blank.

Found out they ARE mini pine cones and the pink/white blank has cherry pits cast into it.

 

[kingkeyman]

Sent off my PITH to ottotroll today. It was my first casting, and it came out perfectly. Now I have separation anxiety, I wanted to keep it for myself. I like to keep my first timers so I can gauge my progress. I hope Richard likes it.

 

[Rounder]

This is the pith pen I sent Rounder. It was to be a fog but it is a fow. Found this piece of wood floating on a weed line about 36 miles off the coast of the North Carolina's outer banks while fishing about 2 years ago. Just think of the stories this piece of wood could tell.

And a very nice pen indeed! Very interesting story and a piece of the wood to make something of my own. THANKS Bill.

 

[its_virgil]

Kelly Moore, aks Krash was the person who sent me a pen for the Spring 2014 PITH. Thanks Kelly! What an addition to my collection. The pen is made from tamarisk and sagebrush with soda can pieces used for some segmenting at the center band and clip end. The pen is well made with a nice finish. I hope everyone who participated had a good experience and received a pen they really like. Thanks again Kelly!
Do a good turn daily!
Don

 

[ottotroll]

Sent off my PITH to ottotroll today. It was my first casting, and it came out perfectly. Now I have separation anxiety, I wanted to keep it for myself. I like to keep my first timers so I can gauge my progress. I hope Richard likes it.

I love it!
First, a big THANK YOU to kingkeyman.My pen is awesome. I feel honored to receive your first casting attempt - it is great! -
1) orange stripes from a Home Depot Bucket Lid
2) Blue stripes from a drywall mud bucket lid
3) Copper stripes from a copper pipe
4) Aluminum stripes from a piece of flashing
5) black stripes from some kind of ductwork connector
Inside casting is a Leinienkugel beer cap, over an aluminum foil background.
I also want to thank David especially for the "bowling ball blanks and pen kit - I turned it tonight, and my wife has already claimed it! (never heard of a scented bowling ball before I read one of your earlier posts...
I apologize for the bad pics, I will have my wife take some tomorrow...


Pith 1 Photo by ottotroll | Photobucket

 

[USNR'03]

My package to WHSKYrvr1 is on the way 'hope you like it!!

 

[kingkeyman]

Sent off my PITH to ottotroll today. It was my first casting, and it came out perfectly. Now I have separation anxiety, I wanted to keep it for myself. I like to keep my first timers so I can gauge my progress. I hope Richard likes it.

I love it!
First, a big THANK YOU to kingkeyman.My pen is awesome. I feel honored to receive your first casting attempt - it is great! -
1) orange stripes from a Home Depot Bucket Lid
2) Blue stripes from a drywall mud bucket lid
3) Copper stripes from a copper pipe
4) Aluminum stripes from a piece of flashing
5) black stripes from some kind of ductwork connector
Inside casting is a Leinienkugel beer cap, over an aluminum foil background.


I also want to thank David especially for the "bowling ball blanks and pen kit - I turned it tonight, and my wife has already claimed it! (never heard of a scented bowling ball before I read one of your earlier posts...
I apologize for the bad pics, I will have my wife take some tomorrow...




Pith 1 Photo by ottotroll | Photobucket

I'm glad you like it.It was an absolute thrill making that pen. I've been afraid of casting for some time now, but thanks to this forum I am well read on the subject, and everybody else did all the trial and error stuff for me. Thanks guys!! BTW, I wouldn't recommend turning a piece of copper pipe glued to a plastic bucket lid. Takes a lot of patience

 

[Krash]

Glad you like it Don!
The PITH was a fun exercize and challenging also since it caused me to think outside the box .... or use the box to make the pen!

Kelly Moore, aks Krash was the person who sent me a pen for the Spring 2014 PITH. Thanks Kelly! What an addition to my collection. The pen is made from tamarisk and sagebrush with soda can pieces used for some segmenting at the center band and clip end. The pen is well made with a nice finish. I hope everyone who participated had a good experience and received a pen they really like. Thanks again Kelly!
Do a good turn daily!
Don

 

[Wheelman]

Mine shipped today. It was like a game of Tetris trying to fit the pen in a flat rate box...the packing material kept getting in the way. I used the trunk from our Christmas tree (Douglas Fir) and some maple burl...first time trying segmenting.

 

[kovalcik]

I finished my pen for Sylvia and I am going to try to get it to the post office today depending on my work schedule. If not today, it will have to go out Monday as I am going out of town for a few days.

 

[ottotroll]

I mailed my pens yesterday to Hard Hat (Brett). I was a bit unsatisfied with one, so I made a second one, which I enclosed, also... It was sent 2 Day Priority,so hopefully will arrive Friday, or Saturday latest -

 

[Brian G]

I sent my PITH to USNR'03 today. It's slated for Saturday delivery. A few other things "fell" in the box, too. :wink:

I'll fill in with some backstory after the PITH arrives in VA Beach. The backstory involves the FOG wood, a concerned citizen, a hand saw, and turtles.

 

[JasonC]

Will put my PITH in the mail tomorrow. Wanted to do some segmenting but I've been too busy with hospital visits to do more than I did - which was blow up two blanks and finally have success with the third.

 

[mlconnelly]

Pen and a few goodies are going in the mail to Penmaker1967 later this morning. This was my first PITH and I have enjoyed it very much. I will try to post a picture of the great pen I got from Swaggopenturner over the weekend.

 

[Darkshier]

I will be doing annual training for the month of June and will not be able to post a picture until after that as it will arrive sometime after I've left.

 

[greasythumb]

pith

this is the pen I got from penmaker1967 thanks I think it was made from xmas tree

 

[penmaker1967]

you are right i forgot to put the note in the box but it was made from a christmas tree blank. the kit was a black crome creekline

 

[Nedge]

PITH Pen

I received my pen and some blanks earlier in the week from BayouPenturner. He used spalted oak with an Executive Rhodium kit, a very nice combination with a CA finish. The blanks he sent were pecan, oak and mahogany.
Thanks Again Jim,
Ed

 

[alankulwicki7]

Here's the PITH pen I received from Mike (lathemaster). It's a beautiful piece of FOG on a Gold Jr Retro (I think). The finish is lacquer. The finish has a nice soft feel while the wood has a rustic quality. The pen has an almost distressed look to it and I love it! :biggrin: And considering our house is filled with antiques and distressed furniture, this pen really fits my style.

The box is a very nice addition and Mike also included some Florida Rosewood as packing material.

Thanks for the great pen, Mike!:biggrin:

 

[ladycop322]

My PITH Pen

A huge thank you goes out to statedclerk for sending me this PITH Pen! I love it!

 

[Simply.Sylvia]

FOG PITH

Hi All, I received my SPRING 2014 FOG PITH PEN! Kovalcik out did himself....my pen is beautiful! The kit that he used was the Artisan Zen with magnetic cap....one of my favorite kits to write with! I am unsure of the wood but I will let you all know as soon as I do. Here is a photo of the pen. The photo does not do this pen justice. He also included several blanks for future pen! Thank you so much!!!

 

[plantman]

Here is the pen and blanks I received fome Doug Swanson (alankulwicki7) The pen blank is Buchthorn with a beautiful grain and a knot worked into the center. Finish is flawless and smooth. Not sure of the pen kit however, but the chrome goes well with the blank. He also sent me some very interesting blanks. A flamed Walnut, Hickory, Sasafras, a mistery green dyed blank, and a very interesting oak that was removed from the lake and is black and gray in color, also a blank of Angico Prieto (Curupay). Thant you Doug. Jim S

 

[southernclay]

That's a lazerlinez liberty, awesome pen!

 

[plantman]

That's a lazerlinez liberty, awesome pen!

Thanks for the ID !!! The chatoyancy on this pen is stunning !!Jim S

 

[JCochrun]

Got these in the mail today from Jerry (Seer). I couldn't be more happy and pleased with what he sent. I love it. The pen is a Triton from Redwood Burl with a CA finish. There were several blanks including a Jack Daniels one that I have been wanting to try. There was also a blank from a bowling ball. I can't wait to make some pens from these. Jerry, you totally rock. Great job.

Jim

Penn Valley, CA

 

[alankulwicki7]

That's a lazerlinez liberty, awesome pen!

Thanks for the ID !!! The chatoyancy on this pen is stunning !!Jim S

Sorry I forgot to tell you the pen kit, Jim. I'm pretty pleased with how this pen turned out. The blank was a scrap from a larger piece of Buckthorn that was probably headed for the fire pit. I bet I searched my shop and burn pile about 3 times before I decided to give this piece a try. Glad you like it!

 

[kovalcik]

Hi Sylvia,

Gald you like the pen. It is spalted maple. And the wood was actually found twice. Last year i was clearing some trees to build a chicken coop. A few of the logs were forgotten for a while in the woods, and when I got back to them, they had spalted very nicely. One of the logs became a bowl (I will post a picture after I get home). While digging around in my kindling pile for a good PITH blank, I found the scraps left over from cutting the bowl blank and there was enough for a few pen blanks. I really like the Zen kit. I tell people it is bacause it shows off the blank so well, but more likely it is because there is no way to mess up and assemble it the wrong way. Either way, I thought the maple and gun metal Zen would look great together.

Enjoy the pen Sylvia. Use it well.

 

[USNR'03]

My PITH came in this weekend form Brian G. I Love It!! Please for give the picture it was from my phone. I will try to get better one this evining.

Brian
Thanks again,

 

[CrimsonKeel]

My PITH pens i received from Blackwood

along with some really nice blanks

and just for giggles a super close up of the grain