Spirit Of Life design by Henry Simpole

[Ghost Plane]

Looks like we shall have to inflict the torture of the comfy chair!

 

Here's the production news from Henry. He's curled both the cap and barrel overlays. He's soldered the silver and "worked the joints" to make them disappear. He's engraving the join where the two parts of the script meets.

 

What you need to know, for purposes of this pen, is that spirals are one of the most difficult things to produce in metal. This means Henry achieved the near impossible with this overlay and we're well on the way, even if documenting photographs are not.

 

He says he's happy with it, which tells me we'll be ecstatic. I'd rather Henry was happily creating our pens than stopping to photograph, even if it delays actually seeing the results.

 

Go Henry! Go Henry! Go Henry! Go Henry!

 

We are going to have a design that's never been done before and it's going to be AWESOME!

Edited May 18, 2010 by Ghost Plane

[Truffle Finder]

I've just been in Henry's workshop, he is very concerned about the threat of the'Comfy Chair!'

When I left him he was re-engraving the script, because it needs to be deeper for the casting process to be readable [if there is such a word!]

NOOOOOOOOOObody expects the Spanish Inquisition!!! Leave alone the torture of the comfy chair!!!

For those who are unfamiliar to the pleasures of Monty Python look away now!!!

Truffle Finder.

[Ghost Plane]

I'll rein in Cardinal Fang until we've seen the calligraphy :roflmho: The Holy Hand Grenade is safely secured in its box with the Knights of Ni guarding it. But I can't vouch for the location of the attack rabbit.

 

Gallops off to the sound of coconuts.

 

PS: If anyone needs the password, the color is "plaid" :ltcapd:

[Chris Chalmers]

Anticipation............ that sweet but cruel place neither here nor there......... where promises come to fruition

 

and temptation becomes unbearable :eureka: great marketing skills are being shown here :thumbup: and I wait for the next chapter of this tale of two spirals :bunny01: :bunny01:

 

and PHOTOGRAPHS :headsmack: :headsmack:

[Ghost Plane]

Any day now on the pics. Seems Henry got so wrapped up [belated pun alert] in making sure the spirals would join, that he forgot to document the progress. :bonk:

 

For anyone whose ever worked with metal, or even tangled up one of those slinky toys, you'll know a spiral is the hardest shape to accurately form. Now Henry's having to go back and deepen the engraving on the master AFTER it has been curled and joined and soldered, in order for the master to be deep and crisp enough to cast from. That means huge stress and tension, as he's afraid of a hand slip wiping out hours and hours, if not days, of work. It's not exactly easy to go over an unfamiliar script by hand while holding to a curve.

 

All a bit nerve-wracking as we don't want Henry to have to start over and lose all his work!

[Truffle Finder]

No we don't, do we?

Truffle Finder!

[Chris Chalmers]

Steady the Buffs!!!! :unsure:

[Ghost Plane]

Looking forward to pictures. Anyone know when our intrepid photographer is next making the pilgrimage?

[Truffle Finder]

Yes, I do. Neal will receive the O/lays today, but it is debatable as to exactly when he will do the photography! Knowing him he will probably do the deed before the weekend.

Truffle finder.

[Ghost Plane]

Insert picture of me doing a happy dance

[smk]

Insert a picture of me biting my nails :-)

 

Edit: Yes, I got a part of even that wrong!

Edited May 20, 2010 by smk

[Ghost Plane]

You'll be fine. The Arabic readers this end who've seen the design and your calligraphy are already trying to figure out how to save up for one.

[Truffle Finder]

No pressure there then!!!

What you must realise,[probably better to make this 'crystal' before you actually see the images] is that your first impressions will be that the barrel of the pen O/lay looks extremely rough and unfinished, the reason for this is that as much 'relief' in the design must be left on the piece before it is cast. This is of paramount importance, as making it look 'pretty' at this stage would be counter-productive, trust Henry, he has done this a few times before!!!

Truffle Finder.

[Ghost Plane]

We do, or we wouldn't be driving him crazy with this insane dream project. I remember from my days on the flightline in tussles with the engineers that prototyping and originals for casting have to be extremely "exaggerated" to get the precision edges for subsequent versions. Everything was over-exaggerated in order to give the sharpness required before polishing could begin. Over-precise machining always gave the best results.

[billydo]

FIRST IMAGES OF THE MASTER COPY...

 

Apologies for the hasty composition etc but this has been a speedy job!

 

As pointed out by Truffle Finder in an earlier post, Henry has asked me to stress that the casting of the barrel is deliberately left rough at this stage to assist the casting process - the finished version will not look like it does now! Trying to quickly demonstrate the text on the barrel is not at all easy. I will try and provide better clarity over the coming days.

 

I hope that these images will suffice for now.

 

enjoy!

 

Neal.

Edited May 21, 2010 by billydo

[Ghost Plane]

Oh wow...

[smk]

Wow - as expected, its lovely.

 

I'll be looking forward to more pics to make out the calligraphy :-)

 

S.

[Ghost Plane]

After all, it's not the "Spirit of Life" pen without the Spirit of Life verse

 

Oh man, can't wait for more pics!

[reprieve]

Ghost Plane, congrats on a lovely overlay! Henry and Salman have done beautiful, wonderful work in bringing your idea to life. You must be so excited! I can't wait to see photos of the finished pen.

[Ghost Plane]

I'm totally thrilled These gentlemen worked very hard to bring my dream to life and it looks so beautiful