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View Full Version : Flamed Cane: Darkening up the True Bamboo



drgoretex
September 4th, 2013, 07:31 AM
Well, here by request is a darker (flamed) version of the True Bamboo pen I recently posted.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd231/kcavers/Custom%20Pens/Custom%20Fountain%20Pens/Designer%20Fountain%20Pens/IMG_8591_zps247748f5.jpg?t=1378259684

In the last two posts, I mentioned the thread-wrap technique commonly used in fly fishing rod (especially bamboo 'cane' rods), here I used another technique used in their production. 'Flaming' is a process used to carmelize and lightly char the outside of a bamboo culm before it is split into strips and planed to size to make a fly fishing rod. It gives the bamboo a nice, darkened appearance, and a bit of colour texture. Here I have used that technique on a small culm that I wanted to use for a pen. After flaming the culm, I took off the outer layers with a bit of steel wool, then sealed the pen inside and out with a good soak of low viscosity CA.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd231/kcavers/Custom%20Pens/Custom%20Fountain%20Pens/Designer%20Fountain%20Pens/IMG_8595_zps6a7b8141.jpg?t=1378259686
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd231/kcavers/Custom%20Pens/Custom%20Fountain%20Pens/Designer%20Fountain%20Pens/IMG_8602_zps7cec803b.jpg?t=1378259688

As I think I mentioned in my last post, for the thread wraps on blonde, or pale cane, spring green is a popular choice, while on flamed cane one often sees darker colours such as the garnet thread I have used here.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd231/kcavers/Custom%20Pens/Custom%20Fountain%20Pens/Designer%20Fountain%20Pens/IMG_8618_zps3e0729fd.jpg?t=1378259694

The end jewels on my last Bamboo pen were a bit too prominent for my taste, so on this pen I decided to make them simple, flat, and out of ruby flake acrylic to match the thread wraps - and am reasonably pleased with the result. The nib section, as well as the threaded parts of the cap and barrel, I made from black acrylic.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd231/kcavers/Custom%20Pens/Custom%20Fountain%20Pens/Designer%20Fountain%20Pens/IMG_8609_zpsb6a8e67a.jpg?t=1378259692

Here is a group shot of the last three bamboo pens that I made - the flamed cane, the blonde cane, and the pen made of bamboo 'wood':

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd231/kcavers/Custom%20Pens/Custom%20Fountain%20Pens/Designer%20Fountain%20Pens/IMG_8622_zps46748c87.jpg?t=1378259701

Thanks for looking - comments and critique welcome.

Ken

KrazyIvan
September 4th, 2013, 08:26 AM
You just get better and better.

InvisibleMan
September 4th, 2013, 10:16 AM
Wow, that is pure awesome! Nice!

tandaina
September 4th, 2013, 11:34 AM
Ken, this is the first pen since my Nakaya arrived that makes me want it NOW. Amazing and beautiful!

Laura N
September 4th, 2013, 01:38 PM
This looks great.

How does it feel in the hand? I wonder specifically about the step to the section.

drgoretex
September 4th, 2013, 03:50 PM
This looks great.

How does it feel in the hand? I wonder specifically about the step to the section.


Thanks!

Yes, you've hit on a key issue with the 'step'. As with Cigar style, or other diameter-matched styles, it has a tendency to be an issue for some people, but seems not to be for most. It depends on what your grip is like, where it is located, and to some extent, the size of your hands (although surprisingly some small handed folks have no problem with cigar style pens, while some big-handed folks do). Clearly from my perspective, the diameter of the bamboo culm is crucial in choosing a piece of bamboo. Ideally, I need it to be at least 16mm in order to create the threading in the cap without destroying the cap in the process, but don't want to go a whole lot bigger than that, or I get too much 'step'. The flamed cane is an example of 'about ideal' diameter for this kind of pen, while the blonde one is a hair on the thick side.

I wish I had more bamboo sources here....

Cheers,

Ken

anthonyd
September 4th, 2013, 04:14 PM
I like it even more than the natural look of your other pen.

Tony

subramaniyam
September 7th, 2013, 04:29 AM
Avante Garde.

Regards,
Sub