The Russ Fairfield Memorial Slimline Challenge.
This contest is dedicated to Russ Fairfield, a pioneer in the world of penturning. Russ Fairfield began making pens in the late 1980's using the only pen kit available at the time – the Slimline. At first, wooden pens were enough of a novelty that Russ was able to sell them without having to make any modifications at all, but as more and more people began to make pens, he saw the need to branch out and offer a different product. He realized that he could make some simple changes to his Slimline pens that made them stand out from the pens that were being offered by the other penturners at the time. Instead of just keeping his new designs to himself, Russ decided to openly share the modifications that he had developed. Throughout his turning career, Russ was always willing to answer questions and teach others what he had learned. He was not content to just make the same designs over and over, he continued to push his craft and discover new ways to make a pen. Much of what we do now, we do because he showed us how. Slims with homemade centerbands, closed ended pens, and hidden clips all came from Russ. Without any actual face to face meetings, Russ taught many of today's finest penmakers a lot about what makes a good pen through his videos and web site. Russ taught new techniques, while cementing the importance of the fundamentals. The pen making community lost a wonderful mentor with Russ' passing. This contest is respectfully offered as a tribute to Russ Fairfield.
About the Contest
This contest is open to ALL members. New members would do well to enter since it will teach you how to make your pens different and unique, and you will learn techniques that will help in all your penmaking.
The pen you make for this contest must follow the designs and teachings of Russ Fairfield. All of Russ' slimline pens were rooted in four basic designs. You will be using any of these designs to build your pen,
The "Russ Line"
The "Long Line"
The "J-Line"
The "Fat Line"
Please try to keep your entry as close as possible to one of his designs but don't just copy his work, make a pen that Russ would have been proud to call one of his designs.
Sadly, Russ's website is no longer available for use as a resource by aspiring penmakers. The only reference we can provide are the four attached photos of Russ' designs.
The Rules For The Russ Fairfield Memorial Challenge Are;
1 – To participate in any IAP activity your profile must contain your first & last name and your city & state (or equivalent) of residence.
2 - Must use a Slimline kit as a basis for this contest.
3 - The pen must be made for the contest by the person entering the contest and not have been shown anywhere on the Internet before Feb 1 2013.
4 – Entries are to be submitted via the entry form. Entries are not to be posted directly to the thread.
Russ Fairfield Entry Form (LINK)
5 - The winners will be chosen by how closely you follow Russ's teachings and designs as well as fit and finish. Take the best pictures you can since this is all we will have to judge the quality of the pen. To keep the thread to a manageable size I ask that you only post three (3) pictures per person please.
6 - A panel of judges will choose the top three pens.
7 - All pens must be submitted by Feb. 17 11:59pm EST.
8- Final voting by poll to determine the winner will start no later than Friday the 21st
and finish on Monday the 24th
Winners will be announced on Feb. 25th.
This contest is dedicated to Russ Fairfield, a pioneer in the world of penturning. Russ Fairfield began making pens in the late 1980's using the only pen kit available at the time – the Slimline. At first, wooden pens were enough of a novelty that Russ was able to sell them without having to make any modifications at all, but as more and more people began to make pens, he saw the need to branch out and offer a different product. He realized that he could make some simple changes to his Slimline pens that made them stand out from the pens that were being offered by the other penturners at the time. Instead of just keeping his new designs to himself, Russ decided to openly share the modifications that he had developed. Throughout his turning career, Russ was always willing to answer questions and teach others what he had learned. He was not content to just make the same designs over and over, he continued to push his craft and discover new ways to make a pen. Much of what we do now, we do because he showed us how. Slims with homemade centerbands, closed ended pens, and hidden clips all came from Russ. Without any actual face to face meetings, Russ taught many of today's finest penmakers a lot about what makes a good pen through his videos and web site. Russ taught new techniques, while cementing the importance of the fundamentals. The pen making community lost a wonderful mentor with Russ' passing. This contest is respectfully offered as a tribute to Russ Fairfield.
About the Contest
This contest is open to ALL members. New members would do well to enter since it will teach you how to make your pens different and unique, and you will learn techniques that will help in all your penmaking.
The pen you make for this contest must follow the designs and teachings of Russ Fairfield. All of Russ' slimline pens were rooted in four basic designs. You will be using any of these designs to build your pen,
The "Russ Line"
The "Long Line"
The "J-Line"
The "Fat Line"
Please try to keep your entry as close as possible to one of his designs but don't just copy his work, make a pen that Russ would have been proud to call one of his designs.
Sadly, Russ's website is no longer available for use as a resource by aspiring penmakers. The only reference we can provide are the four attached photos of Russ' designs.
The Rules For The Russ Fairfield Memorial Challenge Are;
1 – To participate in any IAP activity your profile must contain your first & last name and your city & state (or equivalent) of residence.
2 - Must use a Slimline kit as a basis for this contest.
3 - The pen must be made for the contest by the person entering the contest and not have been shown anywhere on the Internet before Feb 1 2013.
4 – Entries are to be submitted via the entry form. Entries are not to be posted directly to the thread.
Russ Fairfield Entry Form (LINK)
5 - The winners will be chosen by how closely you follow Russ's teachings and designs as well as fit and finish. Take the best pictures you can since this is all we will have to judge the quality of the pen. To keep the thread to a manageable size I ask that you only post three (3) pictures per person please.
6 - A panel of judges will choose the top three pens.
7 - All pens must be submitted by Feb. 17 11:59pm EST.
8- Final voting by poll to determine the winner will start no later than Friday the 21st
and finish on Monday the 24th
Winners will be announced on Feb. 25th.