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Herringbone first attempt

M

Midnight_Turner

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Well here we are folks my first herringbone attempt, made the blank from scratch on the bandsaw out of Purple Heart and oak - I really like it but open to criticism/comment
154c6261fb9b12dc07cc1fde87833a04.jpg



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Woody

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Very nice bit of segmenting that well done it can be very addictive whenever I decide to make one I end up with all these different designs flooding my mind and I'm off again for a few weeks LOL
 
Walter

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You have asked for comment and critique so here are my, hopefully constructive, comments.

That is a very well executed piece of segmenting work, the herringbone pattern is nicely spaced and the joints are fairly even. There is a good colour contrast between the woods chosen. My first question to you would be, having gone to all that effort to produce a beautiful blank why lower its impact by putting it on a cheap slimline kit? A Zeta or other single barrelled kit would have cost little more and greatly enhanced the presence of the blank.

My other comment would be that the fit, shaping and finish are not up to the standard of the segmenting work. The lower barrel is overturned at both nib and centre band and the upper, segmented, barrel is unevenly shaped. The finish also appears uneven but that may just be the photograph.

Overall a good first effort, but with a few improvements it could be exceptional.

Finally a point on the photography. The nib end is out of focus which suggests that you have concentrated focus on the segmented part of the pen. Focusing on the closest part (the nib) and using a small aperture (f16 or f22 say) would keep the whole pen in focus. If the background is white then your white balance is also slightly off. Hope this helps.
 
Phil Dart

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Nice to see someone asking for honest comments Miles, and nice to see someone obliging with honest comments.

I really like the fact that the herringbone only appears on one of the barrels. To put in on both would have been OTT in my opinion and would have been herringbone for the sake of herringbone. On the upper barrel only, it lifts the pen into a classier looking piece. Onwards and upwards - an excellent first attempt at herringbone.
 
M

Midnight_Turner

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Walter said:
You have asked for comment and critique so here are my, hopefully constructive, comments.

That is a very well executed piece of segmenting work, the herringbone pattern is nicely spaced and the joints are fairly even. There is a good colour contrast between the woods chosen. My first question to you would be, having gone to all that effort to produce a beautiful blank why lower its impact by putting it on a cheap slimline kit? A Zeta or other single barrelled kit would have cost little more and greatly enhanced the presence of the blank.

My other comment would be that the fit, shaping and finish are not up to the standard of the segmenting work. The lower barrel is overturned at both nib and centre band and the upper, segmented, barrel is unevenly shaped. The finish also appears uneven but that may just be the photograph.

Overall a good first effort, but with a few improvements it could be exceptional.

Finally a point on the photography. The nib end is out of focus which suggests that you have concentrated focus on the segmented part of the pen. Focusing on the closest part (the nib) and using a small aperture (f16 or f22 say) would keep the whole pen in focus. If the background is white then your white balance is also slightly off. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Hi Walter,

Many thanks for the comments, I agree with the choice of kit, but as this was my first go, I didn't want to waste anything in case I messed it up - a regular occurrence:-) !!

I think I'm going to do the same now but put it on a single barrel as you have suggested.

I'm afraid the overturning and uneven shaping are completely down to the fact I've never had any tuition, just self taught through here and YouTube - as a result I don't actually know what you mean by over turned - but I will definitely keep practicing.

As for the photography I make no excuse, I'm rubbish and I know it, all I use is my phone and that's it!!


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Walter

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Midnight_Turner said:
I'm afraid the overturning and uneven shaping are completely down to the fact I've never had any tuition, just self taught through here and YouTube - as a result I don't actually know what you mean by over turned
As for the photography I make no excuse, I'm rubbish and I know it, all I use is my phone and that's it!!
Click to expand...

By over turning I mean that the ends of the wooden blank are turned so that they are slightly smaller than the kit components. If you run your finger over the join you will feel a gap or step.

We all have to learn, your technique and results will improve with practice. The problem with YouTube is there is a much bad advice there as good. Maybe someone near you could give you some help.

I am glad you found my comments useful. I do think it would help beginners if more of our experienced members were prepared to offer constructive criticism rather than just saying "nice pen" when there are clearly things that need improvement.
 
Woody

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Well I for one looked at the effort put into the herringbone which as I see it was what the post was about and for a first attempt it is very good
 
Jim

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A damn good effort Miles, knowing how difficult these blanks are to make the pen looks good .. :thumbs:
 
silver

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Excellent first attempt Miles, top work and some good comments to help you make the next changes.. look forward to the next picture.


Walter said:
The problem with YouTube is there is a much bad advice there as good.
Click to expand...

Very true, and always difficult for the new turner to sort the wheat out from the chaff..

Walter said:
I am glad you found my comments useful. I do think it would help beginners if more of our experienced members were prepared to offer constructive criticism rather than just saying "nice pen" when there are clearly things that need improvement.
Click to expand...

I totally agree Walter, I have given up saying at times rather than have someone come back at me to challenge what has been said..

I will often get in touch with a PM to save the crap, I know that means "others" fail to learn along the way as well..

It's easier.
 
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