Sierra pens

[Stephen]

I turned some Sierra pen blanks and in my attempt to show the features of the blanks did them too large. More towards the shape of an egg.Result heavy and unsightly. Saw several pens displayed in the SOYP and realised my pens were out of proportion. Could someone tell what is the normal diameter size of the blank center to get a a good proportional Sierra. I suppose taper more towards the nib than the cap end? If so do I start the tapers from the centre or lean more towards the nib side.Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Tea Clipper]

I make mine nearly B2B with just a hint of a curve to them. It's subtle but it's there.

Copper Black Ash Burl Sierra

 

[1080Wayne]

Stephen Totally agree with Ron . Ends about 0.480 , center 0.525 absolute max . Wayne

 

[Buzz]

Agree totally with the previous posters. A subtle curve is my preferred shape on the Sierra and most other styles of pen. A few Sierra pens are shown in my photo gallery.

 

[Stephen]

Thanks Ron. The pen you posted looks great.
Stephen

 

[Stephen]

Originally posted by 1080Wayne

Stephen Totally agree with Ron . Ends about 0.480 , center 0.525 absolute max . Wayne

Thanks Wayne. The dimensions a great help.

 

[Stephen]

Originally posted by 1080Wayne

Stephen Totally agree with Ron . Ends about 0.480 , center 0.525 absolute max . Wayne

Thanks Wayne. The dimensions a great help.

 

[Stephen]

Thanks Chris, Your pens in your gallery gives me a better idea of proportions.

 

[Texatdurango]

I agree that some pens look nicer when turned bushing to bushing. What I do is turn the blank until the entire cylinder is almost flush with the bushings then leaving the center alone I work from the center to the ends which gives me a very, very slight arch in then middle.

 

[Russianwolf]

I agree with the others mostly. The only exceptions I've followed have been when I was trying to achieve something specific. Like on this one, I wanted to leave just a bit if the sapwood for contrast. It made the pen rather big, but I got a nice surprise in it too. The faces in the sapwood.

 

[jskeen]

I agree, the sierra is not the pen to practice your whoop-de-doo's on. That said, a ruler straight B to B pen tends to actually look concave when assembled on most kits that have some curve to the nib and end caps, so I usually build in a slight bulge, never measured, just by eye though.

 

[Stephen]

Thanks George. My base knowledge on pen making is getting better.

 

[mick]

I hope he doesn't mind, but take a look at Alamocdc's album. He really puts an interesting twist on Sierra shapes. I've shamelessly copied him several times.....lol

 

[Stephen]

Thank you all for the suggestions. A nice lot of people in this forum.
Grately appreciated. Thanks again.