Flamed Cane: Darkening Up The True Bamboo

[drgoretex]

After posting my 'True Bamboo' pen recently, I had a number of people requesting a darker version. So, here by request is darker version of the pen, using another bamboo fly fishing rod making technique...

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 construction (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

 

[Kess]

Great work! I really like it. Very classy looking.

[penultress]

Gorgeous! I really like that burnt, darkened effect with the ruby trim.

[Swaffer]

 

Great work Drgoretex. Really smart looking. I like the darkened one best, good colour choice on the threads.

[Scriptorium Pens]

Simply amazing!

[kendoka]

Really nice and very creative on the finish.

Tony

[Tberry010]

I think the 'flamed' bamboo version is much nicer than the lighter versions, and wonder what a section of a matching color to the winding thread would look like? The end jewels are also much nicer IMO.

[Daisy25]

That flamed cane is absolutely gorgeous! So dramatic and with this great rich depth to it. Wow.

[pictogramax]

Exceptional! Beautiful tones on body by that flaming technique.

[GemMayhem]

Exquisite! To my tastes, the 'flamed' version is even more beautiful than the 'blonde' (and I really like that one, too!). The burgundy gives it a very classy finish. Absolutely stunning!! Thanks for sharing.

[drgoretex]

Thanks for the kind comments!

 

TBerry010 - matching section - something to consider, thanks! :-))

 

Ken

[hari317]

Really wonderful work!

 

Is there a possibility of providing a pocket clip?

[quinden]

Ken, this is my favorite so far - great work!!!

[basterma]

It is really something different to see the workmanship without the marketing hype... Great work and keep the ideas coming.

[fountainbel]

Congratulations Ken, the "flamed" bamboo looks awesome !

Francis

[3rdlakerobert]

Flaming gives the material a very rich patina, and garnet thread complements it perfectly. If you could find a color match for the garnet thread, I think I'd go that way with section and end jewels.

 

Been a while since I've stopped in at this forum. Been missing some good stuff! Well done Ken! (as always).

[drgoretex]

Really wonderful work!

 

Is there a possibility of providing a pocket clip?

 

Thanks! I don't think I will likely try to make a clipped pen - at least not with the True Bamboo. Perhaps the one made from a bamboo blank....

 

Flaming gives the material a very rich patina, and garnet thread complements it perfectly. If you could find a color match for the garnet thread, I think I'd go that way with section and end jewels.

 

Been a while since I've stopped in at this forum. Been missing some good stuff! Well done Ken! (as always).

 

Thanks, Robert! I might give the matching acrylic components a go in the future...

 

Cheers,

 

Ken

[Inspector]

You are always an inspiration Ken.

 

With respect to a clip. I understand your reluctance but if a clip were fashioned to look a bit like one of the loops / rings the fishing line goes through. Can you tell I don't fish? That clip wrapped to the pen would be in keeping with the bamboo, and I think look the part.

 

Pete

 

PS. I just took a look at fly rod parts to see what the "loops" were called, fly guides and tops, and saw that the hook keepers looked a lot like a pen clip. Perhaps some SS wire bent along those lines would work?

Edited September 6, 2013 by Inspector

[drgoretex]

You are always an inspiration Ken.

 

With respect to a clip. I understand your reluctance but if a clip were fashioned to look a bit like one of the loops / rings the fishing line goes through. Can you tell I don't fish? That clip wrapped to the pen would be in keeping with the bamboo, and I think look the part.

 

Pete

 

PS. I just took a look at fly rod parts to see what the "loops" were called, fly guides and tops, and saw that the hook keepers looked a lot like a pen clip. Perhaps some SS wire bent along those lines would work?

 

Thanks very much, Pete!

 

I don't think I will add anything to these 'True Bamboo' pens, but to my taste, your thoughts about using something 'fishing rod-like' is right on the mark for the pen I recently made out of a bamboo blank (OK, cutting board...), and in fact, I have been on the lookout for some appropriate wire (may need to hit the hobby store) that I can fashion into a clip. Ideally, it would be somewhat similar to the Lamy Safari wire clips, only narrower, and secured to the end of the cap by another thread wrap, as it would be on a fly fishing rod.

 

Appreciate the thoughts!

 

Cheers,

 

Ken

[rudyhou]

the darker version definitely looks much better than the rest. then again, i'm bias. i like dark-colored woods.