Tried a few new things

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Humongous

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I had a request from some dear friends for some pens. The first pen is a gold PSI Groove in holly and canary wood with brass spacers to tie in the gold. This is the first time using each of these woods and this pen kit. I really like the kit for a slim clicker with a Schmidt mechanism. The persons name is Holly so I just had to use the wood in her pen.

The second pen is a Woodcraft Kojent in maple, walnut and purpleheart using a herringbone pattern. This is my first time attempting this pattern, I thought it wood be a good fit for three different species. My friend is a bit of a smart alec and requested "Maple, Walnut and that fancy purple wood" just to test me.

Thanks for looking, comments and critique welcome. Have a Happy and Thankful holiday.

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jttheclockman

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Like the combination of colors. I need to start using brass more as an accent ring. The more I see it the more I am liking it. Thanks for showing.
 

SteveJ

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That fancy purple wood looks real nice! My first segmented pen from years ago had a similar pattern to the first shown here, only with walnut and rosewood (sans brass). It makes a nice design.
 

KenB259

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That Kojent is awesome. The herringbone pattern is one that I usually am not a fan of. I have no idea why, yours I like, I think because of the colors you chose. I'm totally jealous of your purple heart. My purple heart never ends up as purple as yours, I've tried the heating process, but never been happy with it. Funny thing is, the very first pen I ever made was purple heart and it was purple as purple can be, every other one, not so much.
 

crokett

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I really like that herringbone pattern. I want to attempt some segmenting this weekend. I'm on call this weekend which is bad, but also good. I can't go anywhere or do anything that I can't drop so it will be shop time!
 

howsitwork

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I'm really impressed with both of those.

Like JT i'd never considered brass banding and I have loads of brass shim stock 🤦‍♂️

Must admit to loving holly as a wood to turn and use. I cut and dry my own ( which is challenging ) but it's such a joy to work it a few years later.
 

Humongous

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That Kojent is awesome. The herringbone pattern is one that I usually am not a fan of. I have no idea why, yours I like, I think because of the colors you chose. I'm totally jealous of your purple heart. My purple heart never ends up as purple as yours, I've tried the heating process, but never been happy with it. Funny thing is, the very first pen I ever made was purple heart and it was purple as purple can be, every other one, not so much.
Thanks Ken, I like to leave purple heart in the sun for a while before finishing. It make the color pop, don't know if it lasts longer but it helps in the beginning.
 

jrista

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That Kojent is awesome. The herringbone pattern is one that I usually am not a fan of. I have no idea why, yours I like, I think because of the colors you chose. I'm totally jealous of your purple heart. My purple heart never ends up as purple as yours, I've tried the heating process, but never been happy with it. Funny thing is, the very first pen I ever made was purple heart and it was purple as purple can be, every other one, not so much.
Agreed! I just picked up a couple Kojent kits a short while back, haven't made em yet. This pen look excellent, and the purple heart really goes well with it all.

I did some research a while back...boy, I'm going to have to dig through my bookmarks. Anyway, it explained a chemical process to REALLY bring out the purple color of purpleheart, and make it last. I haven't tried it yet, haven't actually had a chance to turn any purpleheart pens (although, one of my Kojents is a gunmetal and chrome that pure purpleheart might do excellent with), so I haven't tried the process yet.

Anyway, I'll look for the link and share it.
 

KenB259

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Agreed! I just picked up a couple Kojent kits a short while back, haven't made em yet. This pen look excellent, and the purple heart really goes well with it all.

I did some research a while back...boy, I'm going to have to dig through my bookmarks. Anyway, it explained a chemical process to REALLY bring out the purple color of purpleheart, and make it last. I haven't tried it yet, haven't actually had a chance to turn any purpleheart pens (although, one of my Kojents is a gunmetal and chrome that pure purpleheart might do excellent with), so I haven't tried the process yet.

Anyway, I'll look for the link and share it.
I'm really interested in the process
 

sorcerertd

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That herringbone is definitely a nice color combination and the joints look perfect!

A quick search turned up this article about bringing out the purple.
 

Humongous

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That herringbone is definitely a nice color combination and the joints look perfect!

A quick search turned up this article about bringing out the purple.
Thanks Todd, interesting article. Turns out I do this only less rigidly. I wipe the blank down with acetone after final prep (sanding etc...). I then put it in the sun either directly or on a window sill until I like the color, then flip to expose all sides. I guess it works?
 

sorcerertd

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Thanks Todd, interesting article. Turns out I do this only less rigidly. I wipe the blank down with acetone after final prep (sanding etc...). I then put it in the sun either directly or on a window sill until I like the color, then flip to expose all sides. I guess it works?
I have set purpleheart in the sun to richen the color, but have not used acetone on it. Still seems to work for me. I'll have to try a piece with acetone on one end and see if there's much of a difference.
 
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