Horror picture of 3 Montblancs 149. Not for the fainthearted

[michalk]

I warned you.
For some - 3 destroyed pens.
For others - a new beginning ;)
https://tamenuri.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/IMG_1026-1024x1024.jpeg

[guyy]

So what are looking at here? 149s given a bakul finish on the barrel?

[Chrissy]

I hope it's some sort of preparation?

[michalk]

So what are looking at here? 149s given a bakul finish on the barrel?

Nope, they are "shaved" - turned a tiny bit on a lathe. To make some room ;) For urushi.

[michalk]

I hope it's some sort of preparation?

Yes, it is. Some techniques of urushi can add quite a lot of thickness, up to 1mm. If you want the pen to look "more or less" normal after lacquering with urushi you need to sand it a little bit in some areas. That's what happened here. I will fine-tune this sanding, it's straight from the lathe. The barrel will be sanded too. Then base layers of seshime urushi to even everything out (from 3 to 6-7 layers), then middle layers depending on the technique and final layers or technique, different for each pen. I've just started work on the first of those pens.

To be frank - it realy looks terrible in person. Especialy then there was a brand new MB 149 Calligraphy next to them.

[manoeuver]

oh wow. good luck with them! don't forget to update us with the results, k?

[Barry B. Gabay]

Can't wait to see your finished work, Michal.

[amk]

I knew urushi work took artistry, skill and patience.

But more than all these - it takes COURAGE!!!!!!! :-)

I really want to see how these turn out.

[michalk]

Next step is disassembly, masking the trim and monting on the pegs - this lets me hold the pieces while lacqering and sanding and position them savely in the furo (curing cabinet with controlled high humidity). Below with first urushi layer applied. It is seshime urushi, It was 3 days ago. Since then there are several more layers, and with sanding and more layers I will correct the shape and even out the surface, preparing for middle layers.

https://tamenuri.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/IMG_1041-768x1024.jpeg

[ethernautrix]

The 149s look kindv cool stripped of gloss, but wow, I'm super interested to see the final pens.

[CS388]

Very nice. It's a good sized pen for an urushi project.

Are you keeping the ink windows?

Following with interest.

[michalk]

Are you keeping the ink windows?


Yes, that's another reason they were "shaved" on lathe.
As for updated - initially it is very uninteresting process ;) Just layers of urushi and sanding. Once I get to gold or raden it will get more exciting ;) Visually ;)

[AzJon]

The 149s look kindv cool stripped of gloss, but wow, I'm super interested to see the final pens.

I can see it now:

Montblanc 149: Matte Stealth Tactical Black - Luxury Edition

Just price it about $500 above MSRP and you've got a winner. Use black pearl for the star and tag on another grand.

[michalk]

I can see it now:

Montblanc 149: Matte Stealth Tactical Black - Luxury Edition

Just price it about $500 above MSRP and you've got a winner. Use black pearl for the star and tag on another grand.

hell, yeah! sprinkle with gold powder here and there, add urushi paulovnia box and we are in area of 5 grand ;)

[Cyril]

An amazing project and I am thrilled to see the end result.

[michalk]

As promised ;) It is not finished yet, but now it looks like this.
Montblanc 149 is on the left, the other pen is first experiment with seirei-nuri.

https://tamenuri.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/IMG_1502-1024x1024.jpeg

[mulrich]

These are looking great

[jacksterp]

Looking spectacular!

Well done.

[Barry B. Gabay]

Can not wait to see your finished work, Michal. Even at an incomplete stage, your urushi art is stunning.

[michalk]

I finished it.
To be frank - I am not really happy with it. I see to many things I could do better, but all 3 pens I showed are for improving my skills so - it served its purpose.
The "snow cap" is mede with maki-e technique. All the rest - "old gold" but made with silver leaf and urushi.

What do you think?

https://tamenuri.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/MG_8693-1024x683.jpg
https://tamenuri.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/MG_8694-1024x683.jpg

[ChrisJ]

I finished it.
To be frank - I am not really happy with it. I see to many things I could do better, but all 3 pens I showed are for improving my skills so - it served its purpose.
The "snow cap" is mede with maki-e technique. All the rest - "old gold" but made with silver leaf and urushi.

What do you think?

https://tamenuri.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/MG_8693-1024x683.jpg
https://tamenuri.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/MG_8694-1024x683.jpg
That looks so fantastic
I love the originality of the pen and the “old gold” effect looks like it has depth

I’m very impressed


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[mulrich]

I think this looks great; keep up the learning and I'm sure your next few will be even better

[Cyril]

Lovely work.
Do you have a dark green in Laquer ? That is my colour too and it wll be amzing to see a MB in that colour !!! :)

[Barry B. Gabay]

Congratulations on your outstanding work, Michal! Beautiful job.