How your Fellowship pens were made...

[playpen]

Kevin, when is the show? Do you have the dates yet?

[kiavonne]

That was the most incredible and beautiful set of process photos I have ever seen. I really am in awe of this pen, and that I am so lucky to be able to own one. Thank you, Kevin, and please thank our maki-e artist, too.

Edited August 1, 2009 by kiavonne

[FrankB]

Thank you for the tour. I am sincerely impressed with the process and the skill of the artist. I shall treasure my Fellowship pen all the more.

[rubyeyespenlover]

Great job Kevin!

[troglokev]

I am curious about one detail. Why do they apply masking tape to the shell? I don't understand this step.

Maybe to help keep the shells in place while applying the urushi? Just a guess.

Can't be that I don't think: the tape is on the side away from the pen.

 

That sounds good to me. I also don't understand how they precisely cut out the shapes if there is tape over them.

 

My impression of the process is the pieces are roughly cut to shape with the needle, and that the tape is there to prevent the shell from shattering when they do the more precise cutting in a later step. It's left on because it's easier to remove once the shell is stuck to the pen.

Edited August 1, 2009 by troglokev

[greencobra]

Thank you Danitrio and Kevin for getting this cool photo essay to us and posted!

[fuchsiaprincess]

And work has finally decided to re-imburse my expenses so I have the money available in one lump!

 

How did you manage to convince them? Wish work would re-imburse me for my pens....

 

Regards,

Soki

[fuchsiaprincess]

Thank you very much, Kevin. And thanks to Danitrio as well. How much time (in total) is spent on each pen, Kevin?

 

Regards,

Soki

[playpen]

Troglokev, I'll bet you are right about the tape. Good observation!

 

As for these pix, would it be possible for Kevin to pin this topic in the forum so that it doesn't disappear? This is a really important and exciting representation of who we really are on this board. I would hate to see this thread disappear.

 

Please Kevin, save it!

[troglokev]

It's already linked from the Technical Details pinned thread in the Review section.

[playpen]

Well I'll be a monkey's uncle! (as they say back home). I didn't even know that forum existed!! Live and learn! Thank you once again, Troglokev!

[Jopen]

I was "away" for some days and missed this thread...

I'm speechless!!

[winedoc]

I was "away" for some days and missed this thread...

I'm speechless!!

 

Hey Jose,

 

You REALLY should plan on coming to LA show next year since both your fellowship and custom pens are made by the same artist. I think it will be a great treat meeting him in person.

 

Kevin

[Jopen]

I was "away" for some days and missed this thread...

I'm speechless!!

 

Hey Jose,

 

You REALLY should plan on coming to LA show next year since both your fellowship and custom pens are made by the same artist. I think it will be a great treat meeting him in person.

 

Kevin

 

That IS really highest on my WISH list. I do not know if I can make it; you are aware of my travelling problems, and it would be very nice to meet a few people which I would really want to know in person, apparto from the Master himself...

[conheomap]

Wow handmade. That's an amazing process. Thanks for the pics.