Pheasant Feathers & Deer Antler

[JohnU]

These Sierra pens were made from Ringneck Pheasant Feathers that I casted after being inspired by Shane Whitlocks work. The other three are Whitetail Deer antler. I am currently making a group to donate to the Illinois Taxidermist Association next weekend for their raffle and fund raiser, and as gifts to some of the guys that give me antler.

The Sierra's are a little thicker than I like them, but I wrapped the tubes in black paper then applied the feathers, so the base was a little thick before the resin and some of the feathers were getting close to the surface. Something to work out for next time. All comments welcome. Thanks

 

[CSue]

Very nice!

With the black paper background, did you apply the feathers the same way as Shane?

 

[CaptG]

Very cool. Do you glue the feathers to the paper and then wrap the tube? How ever you did it, you did good.

 

[timberview4]

All of these are nice. I really like the way the pheasant feather blanks look.

 

[KiltedGunn]

WOW! Those pheasant fethers turned out wayyy coool!

 

[johncrane]

l agree with all the above very nice work John :biggrin:

 

[stoneman]

Ditto. They all look great!

 

[JohnU]

Very cool. Do you glue the feathers to the paper and then wrap the tube? How ever you did it, you did good.

I did it a little different than Shane. I scratch up the tubes like with all blanks, then I cut small pieces of black construction paper and coated one side with Elmers Super Strength stick glue and wrapped it on the tube. I let it dry for about a half hour while selecting the feathers. Then I start at the top of the tube, working my way down, using the same glue stick on the back side of the feathers. You have to hold them on for a minute but once they stick, they dont move. I overlap them from top to bottom and trim off the access feathers after they dry. The rest is like casting any other tube, rubber corks in each end, filled with BB's, and glued to small 1/4" ply to hold them up in the molds.

I used feathers that had been dryed for about a year in Borax so they weren't greasy. Not sure if fresh feathers would make a difference or not. Good Luck!

 

[Ligget]

Both sets look fantastic from over here too!

 

[amosfella]

The feathers are really cool, my friend. The antlers are nice too, but the feathers are the creme-de-la-creme.....

 

[workinforwood]

Nice! Thanks so much for sharing. I have a bunch of cool feathers, and tried over and over to get them on the tubes but gave up. The paper trick sounds good.

 

[VisExp]

The feather pens look beautiful. I've admired Shane's work for a long time. I've tried to make a feather pen but did not have much success. I'll definitely have to revisit the idea. Well done John, great work.

 

[bitshird]

Those are some very nice pens, they should bring some money for your group.

 

[LEAP]

Beautiful job, The feathers have been long on my to do list. I hope I can make it come out half as nice as yours.

 

[StatProf]

Awesome! I love the feathers idea.

StatProf

 

[keandkafu]

How about making some of those feathers for those of us who have not mastered casting yet? I think the pens look great, nice job.

 

[CaptG]

John, thank you for the info. on how you did the tubes. It is much appreciated.

 

[JohnU]

How about making some of those feathers for those of us who have not mastered casting yet? I think the pens look great, nice job.

Keandkafu... Im sure there will be pleanty of guys selling these blanks soon. Not sure if I'll have much time now with my new born son. Maybe this summer. Thanks for all the comments. Im looking forward to seeing other pens from the people here on Shane's idea. Thanks again Shane for sharing your idea.