Celtic Knotwork Inlay

[Larry in Harrow]

In a true Celtic Knot the elements always alternate over/under as they cross one another. Never over twice in a row, never under twice in a row. This is impossible to replicate using segmentation. However with actual inlays:

Pen #9051 - Cambridge Fountain Pen - Elm Burl barrels - 26 pieces of inlay in Anigre and Sapele Pomele.

Pen #9053 - Rodium Nouveau Spectre Rollerball - Thuya Burl - 28 pieces of inlay in Maple Burl.

All comments are welcome. Be kind, this is my first post on this forum.

 

[devowoodworking]

Those are spectacular Larry!!! Very well done

 

[Chief Hill]

It's like magic Larry. Now aren't you happy that I showed you how to do that?
Pffft. ROFL...
I only wish.

 

[GoodTurns]

in-flipping-credible....beautiful work.

 

[GregHaugen]

Larry, those are beautiful! Well Done. Absolutely Stunning!

 

[Russell Eaton]

In one word WOW!!!

 

[rpearson]

Out-stinking-standing!!!
Looks like perfect inlays and great shadow work. Very familiar with what it takes to create really good inlay and have no doubts you put in a ton of time into these!

 

[Texatdurango]

Just when I was getting tired of looking at the "X's and O's, a TRUE knot design comes along.... very nice! Looks like something I would be interested in trying.

 

[Ligget]

Larry those are gorgeous, excellent work my friend!

 

[Mrs Rojo22]

Wow! What a beautiful pen!

Robin

 

[wickford]

Those are amazing!! Very fine work!!! I have no idea how you did them, but boy they sure look good!!

 

[VisExp]

The Thuya Burl rollerball is easily one of the nicest pens I've see on the forum. Beautiful work.

 

[handplane]

I'll agree with everyone else, Absolutely Beautiful!!!!!!!!

 

[Grizz]

Whoa dude! Totally Awesome.:worship:

 

[islandturner]

These are inspirational -- something to aspire to.... Many thanks for posting them...

 

[Larry in Harrow]

Many Thanks

Thanks everyone for the kind comments. I don't get on this forum too often so I wasn't sure if celtic was old hat on here or not.
As for larger photos, I tried to attach the larger versions I uploaded to the members album but ran into the "photo's too large" window. Maybe I could have inserted them instead but then the post becomes slow to load for those still on dial-up. Anyway if you want to check out the larger ones they are in my member's album.
Thanks for your interest, I think I shall press on in this art form.

 

[maxman400]

WOW! great first post, your Pens are fantastic.

 

[darrylm]

that's a pretty dang impressive first posting Larry!
what beautiful work!

 

[lorbay]

Wow that is nice. I am coming to your place for a work shop. lol

Lin.

 

[GaryMGg]

I was looking at these last night in the filmstrip and I was on the phone today with Darryl up in NH when I saw another one.
I said, "Darryl, have you seen the new Celtic inlay work? These are the best I've seen."
Truly outstanding craftsmanship!
IMHO, It's the first time the term Celtic has been applied and is deserving of it.
They actually look like what a Celtic knot is supposed to.
I tip my glass to you!!! :beer::beer::beer:

 

[JohnU]

I agree with Gary, these are truely "Inlay and Celtic". Beautiful work!

 

[johncrane]

Well done your pens look Awesome!

 

[OKLAHOMAN]

Gorgeous! Real knots,WOW!
Just beautiful inlay work.​

 

[snyiper]

Wow simply stunning simply awesome!!!! nice job.

 

[kruzzer]

Outstand looking pens Larry, top shelf workmenship..

 

[greggas]

WOW, great 3-d effect...looks like alot of work...you should be proud...greeat pens

 

[oops99]

I actually shed some tears when I saw your post, before your post, I didn't think something like that was even possible.
OUTSTANDING!!!!

Tom/oops99

 

[Jim15]

Outstanding work.

 

[leehljp]

Larry, that is outstanding. It is about time that someone took the knot up a level. If anyone could, I figured it would be you or William.

THANKS for posting this for us mortals to see . . . and to dream!

 

[mickr]

decided to come to IAP for awhile? Saw this type on your posting on PP..was as pretty there as here!!!

 

[Blind_Squirrel]

Gorgeous! Real knots,WOW!
Just beautiful inlay work.​

+1 on that.

 

[pmpartain]

That is VERY nice work. I keep going back to admire it. That is some original very well done design and construction work. Extremely nice.

 

[jttheclockman]

Welcome to The pen site. Nice work. Will you ever share the techniques??? We are a learning bunch here. Thanks for showing.

 

[Larry in Harrow]

Thanks

Thanks again everyone for the great support. I never expected a response like this on this premier forum but I could sure get used to it.
As for the how to; there is no secret tool or method. It is just old fashion inlay techniques. You dig a hole and fill it up with a piece of wood, repeat till done. I size my artwork to the pen diameter, carefully scribe the outlines on the blank then cut the cavities. After that I cut and fit individual pieces to fit.
Here's a photo of one that's on my bench at the moment. One blank has the cavities cut ready for inlays and the other is only scribed. Hope this helps.

 

[pmpartain]

Did you somehow use a router or did you carve that out by hand? There must be a lot of practiced skill at work for you to make it all fit like that.

 

[Chief Hill]

Larry not too bad but remember the techniqes I showed you when scribing out the 2nd piece. I really don't want to have to go there and fix any mistakes this time. Take your time and keep the tools sharp. You know where to reach me if you need anymore advice.


Ohhhh man I am having too much fun with this. Sorry Larry.

 

[hilltopper46]

Beautiful pens - wonderful work!!

 

[jttheclockman]

Thanks again everyone for the great support. I never expected a response like this on this premier forum but I could sure get used to it.
As for the how to; there is no secret tool or method. It is just old fashion inlay techniques. You dig a hole and fill it up with a piece of wood, repeat till done. I size my artwork to the pen diameter, carefully scribe the outlines on the blank then cut the cavities. After that I cut and fit individual pieces to fit.
Here's a photo of one that's on my bench at the moment. One blank has the cavities cut ready for inlays and the other is only scribed. Hope this helps.

Larry

Thanks for showing some of the steps. Maybe as you proced with this one on the bench you could shoot some photos along the way. Not sure if any of us would have this talent you pocess but it would be welcomed. Thanks again for showing.

 

[Rojo22]

Larry


Awesome work, and a great pen with the results of your inlay skills!

I do quite a bit of marquetry work, and was wondering if you sand shade the shadows, or if you use a woodburning tool to create the shadows. I do a ton of sand shading when doing the marquetry stuff, but wasnt sure if that would work for you in this application. Inquiring minds would like to know!

Again, congratulations on a stunner of a pen!

Robert

 

[Larry in Harrow]

Hi Robert,

Thanks,
I tried sand but it wasn't too successful. Lost the effect in final fitting to pen contour. Resorted to the old carving feathers on birds tricks with the pyrographic pen.
Maybe I'd better refer all future questions to Chief Hill. He seems to claim expertise here.

Larry


Awesome work, and a great pen with the results of your inlay skills!

I do quite a bit of marquetry work, and was wondering if you sand shade the shadows, or if you use a woodburning tool to create the shadows. I do a ton of sand shading when doing the marquetry stuff, but wasnt sure if that would work for you in this application. Inquiring minds would like to know!

Again, congratulations on a stunner of a pen!

Robert