PatrickR
Member
(Long post)
I was quite active here a few years ago and have gotten back into it recently. I noticed then and still now how tight lipped some are about the techniques used to create some of the most beautiful pens shown here.
First, this does not apply to advice given to new turners. Everyone appears happy to help them out. Second, it does not apply to the segmenting aspect either, there are a lot of people freely helping those that are interested in doing it.
I mainly see it involving the highest end kitless pens. Someone will post a gorgeous example, the maker is and should be proud of their work, but when someone asked how did you do ....? Either "crickets" or a non answer. Like "by hand" or "a lot of practice and a lot of ruined blanks" (I have my ideas why this is but want to keep this positive)
I worked in the sigh industry for many years and it was like that for a long time. You had to go to work for some one to find out the real ways of the trade. Technology has changed that business to the point that the old ways are gone and the masters are dead. It will never be the same. This is happening currently with pens. Desktop CNC machines are common place and will only get cheaper. If the people that hand make high end pens don't share the techniques used, either someplace like here or find an apprentice, these techniques will be lost also.
Food for thought.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I was quite active here a few years ago and have gotten back into it recently. I noticed then and still now how tight lipped some are about the techniques used to create some of the most beautiful pens shown here.
First, this does not apply to advice given to new turners. Everyone appears happy to help them out. Second, it does not apply to the segmenting aspect either, there are a lot of people freely helping those that are interested in doing it.
I mainly see it involving the highest end kitless pens. Someone will post a gorgeous example, the maker is and should be proud of their work, but when someone asked how did you do ....? Either "crickets" or a non answer. Like "by hand" or "a lot of practice and a lot of ruined blanks" (I have my ideas why this is but want to keep this positive)
I worked in the sigh industry for many years and it was like that for a long time. You had to go to work for some one to find out the real ways of the trade. Technology has changed that business to the point that the old ways are gone and the masters are dead. It will never be the same. This is happening currently with pens. Desktop CNC machines are common place and will only get cheaper. If the people that hand make high end pens don't share the techniques used, either someplace like here or find an apprentice, these techniques will be lost also.
Food for thought.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk