#373

NOW SOLD

NB Dane Elm and Chrome Fountain Pen

(25% of the profits from the sale of this pen will be gifted to the Narrowboat Herritage Foundation, the custodians of NB Dane)

EUROPEAN ELM - Ulmus procera

European Elm has is a light to medium brown, sometimes with a hint of red. With an oil finish, it can turn a beautiful golden brown colour. Unless, of course, it's been kept at the bottom of a canal for an awfully long time.

Narrowboat Dane was built by the Mersey Weaver and Ship Canal Carrying Company and used as part of their fleet. She was built in November 1946 and first registered on January the first 1947. Ade from A P Boatbuilding is currently restoring her on behalf of The Narrowboat Heritage Foundation, the work being done is rebottomed with new chine planks, kelson, stem post and soon to receive two new bow planks, gunwales, decks, new back cabin and engine room. The pens that I will be making from Dane are all from a heavy lump of Elm bottom plate.

We had arranged to travel from Blisworth to Fenny Stratford for the first ever Fenny Stratford Canal Festival. Luckily we just about had enough stock to trade with after the busy weekend in Blisworth. We weren't expecting too many towpath visitors as these events do take a few years to build up a reputation. 

The chief organiser had cleverly decided to host the event on the same day as a local Fenny Poppers day a few streets away. Early on Sunday morning we walked Dudley Boar Dawg in a now familiar loop around the local highstreet and back down the canal. The stall holders were bust setting up as were the music stage and fair ground. The stalls looked fairly run of the mill and an uninspiring mix of the usual food outlets charity and tombola type stalls. It transpired that the fairground owners organised the stalls and only granted low value participants access so that visitors had plenty of money for their fairground rides, sneaky. It was a blessing for the five of us canal traders that made it there for the day as we did a roaring trade.

It was a scorching hot day on the Sunday with plenty of power going into the batteries via the solar panels so I set the lathe up and turned a few of the pen blanks that I had drilled and glued over the last few days. We even had a visit from the dignitary in the way of the Mayor and Mayoress of Milton Keynes who treated themselves to a pair of pens. We were made to feel very welcome by the local villagers of Fenny Stratford and even invited to the organisers BBQ after we had closed up the shop for the evening. Definitely a location to bookmark for the future. 

Having said our farewells we made our way briskly back up the Grand Union Canal stopping overnight on the edge of Milton Keynes and Weedon Bec before arriving once again at Whilton Locks

Pen #373 was turned at Whilton at the bottom of the Buckby Lock flight.

#372

NOW SOLD

Hawaiian Koa and 24ct Gold Plated Ballpoint Twist Pen

KOA - Acacia Koa

Koa's colour can be highly variable, but tends to be medium golden or reddish brown, similar to mahogany. There are usually contrasting bands of colour in the growth rings, and it is not uncommon to see boards with ribbon-like streaks of colour. Boards figured with wavy and/or curly grain are also not uncommon.

Although Koa is naturally quite abundant on the islands of Hawaii, most Koa forests have been cleared for grazing pastures; and since young Koa seedlings are edible for grazing animals, most new trees are prevented from growing to timber-harvestable size. As a result, mature Koa trees are either scarce, or in hard-to-access mountainous locations, and the price of Koa is likely to only increase further in the future. Australian Blackwood is considered to be a more sustainable, and visually/mechanically similar substitute.

Koa is widely considered to be the most beautiful and useful of Hawaii’s native hardwoods.

We had arranged to travel from Blisworth to Fenny Stratford for the first ever Fenny Stratford Canal Festival. Luckily we just about had enough stock to trade with after the busy weekend in Blisworth. We weren't expecting too many towpath visitors as these events do take a few years to build up a reputation. 

The chief organiser had cleverly decided to host the event on the same day as a local Fenny Poppers day a few streets away. Early on Sunday morning we walked Dudley Boar Dawg in a now familiar loop around the local highstreet and back down the canal. The stall holders were bust setting up as were the music stage and fair ground. The stalls looked fairly run of the mill and an uninspiring mix of the usual food outlets charity and tombola type stalls. It transpired that the fairground owners organised the stalls and only granted low value participants access so that visitors had plenty of money for their fairground rides, sneaky. It was a blessing for the five of us canal traders that made it there for the day as we did a roaring trade.

It was a scorching hot day on the Sunday with plenty of power going into the batteries via the solar panels so I set the lathe up and turned a few of the pen blanks that I had drilled and glued over the last few days. We even had a visit from the dignitary in the way of the Mayor and Mayoress of Milton Keynes who treated themselves to a pair of pens. We were made to feel very welcome by the local villagers of Fenny Stratford and even invited to the organisers BBQ after we had closed up the shop for the evening. Definitely a location to bookmark for the future. 

Having said our farewells we made our way briskly back up the Grand Union Canal stopping overnight on the edge of Milton Keynes and Weedon Bec before arriving once again at Whilton Locks

Pen #372 was turned at Whilton at the bottom of the Buckby Lock flight.

#371

NOW SOLD

Hawaiian Koa and 24ct Gold Plated Ballpoint Twist Pen

KOA - Acacia Koa

Koa's colour can be highly variable, but tends to be medium golden or reddish brown, similar to mahogany. There are usually contrasting bands of colour in the growth rings, and it is not uncommon to see boards with ribbon-like streaks of colour. Boards figured with wavy and/or curly grain are also not uncommon.

Although Koa is naturally quite abundant on the islands of Hawaii, most Koa forests have been cleared for grazing pastures; and since young Koa seedlings are edible for grazing animals, most new trees are prevented from growing to timber-harvestable size. As a result, mature Koa trees are either scarce, or in hard-to-access mountainous locations, and the price of Koa is likely to only increase further in the future. Australian Blackwood is considered to be a more sustainable, and visually/mechanically similar substitute.

Koa is widely considered to be the most beautiful and useful of Hawaii’s native hardwoods.

We had arranged to travel from Blisworth to Fenny Stratford for the first ever Fenny Stratford Canal Festival. Luckily we just about had enough stock to trade with after the busy weekend in Blisworth. We weren't expecting too many towpath visitors as these events do take a few years to build up a reputation. 

The chief organiser had cleverly decided to host the event on the same day as a local Fenny Poppers day a few streets away. Early on Sunday morning we walked Dudley Boar Dawg in a now familiar loop around the local highstreet and back down the canal. The stall holders were bust setting up as were the music stage and fair ground. The stalls looked fairly run of the mill and an uninspiring mix of the usual food outlets charity and tombola type stalls. It transpired that the fairground owners organised the stalls and only granted low value participants access so that visitors had plenty of money for their fairground rides, sneaky. It was a blessing for the five of us canal traders that made it there for the day as we did a roaring trade.

It was a scorching hot day on the Sunday with plenty of power going into the batteries via the solar panels so I set the lathe up and turned a few of the pen blanks that I had drilled and glued over the last few days. We even had a visit from the dignitary in the way of the Mayor and Mayoress of Milton Keynes who treated themselves to a pair of pens. We were made to feel very welcome by the local villagers of Fenny Stratford and even invited to the organisers BBQ after we had closed up the shop for the evening. Definitely a location to bookmark for the future. 

Having said our farewells we made our way briskly back up the Grand Union Canal stopping overnight on the edge of Milton Keynes and Weedon Bec before arriving once again at Whilton Locks

Pen #371 was turned at Whilton at the bottom of the Buckby Lock flight.

#370

NOW SOLD

Hawaiian Kamani and 24ct Gold Plated Ballpoint Pen

KAMANI - Calophyllum inophyllum

A member of the mangosteen family kamani was brought north to Hawai`i from the South Pacific islands by early settlers from Polynesia. Also called Alexandrian laurel, true Kamani was probably introduced by seed, which is how it is propagated. This native of the Pacific and of tropical Africa, grows slowly along sandy shores and in lowland forests. It was cultivated in villages, near houses and also in groves away from villages. When found growing in windy areas it is sometimes in a picturesque, crooked or misshapen form.

True Kamani is not to be confused with "false Kamani," a common tropical almond that grows profusely along the shores of Hawai`i. This false Kamani or "Kamani haole" was introduced after the first white settlers arrived, and has the scientific name of Teminalia catappa. It was planted for shade and as an ornamental, also growing from the edible seed in its corky pod that washes ashore with waves and currents.

True Kamani is a large attractive spreading tree up to 60 feet high, with a rounded head of dense foliage and rough grey bark. A reddish-brown hardwood is derived from the trunk. From this was carved many objects including canoes; homes; `umeke la`au, wooden containers or calabash, specifically `umeke kamani, food bowls and trays called pa kamani. 

We had arranged to travel from Blisworth to Fenny Stratford for the first ever Fenny Stratford Canal Festival. Luckily we just about had enough stock to trade with after the busy weekend in Blisworth. We weren't expecting too many towpath visitors as these events do take a few years to build up a reputation. 

The chief organiser had cleverly decided to host the event on the same day as a local Fenny Poppers day a few streets away. Early on Sunday morning we walked Dudley Boar Dawg in a now familiar loop around the local highstreet and back down the canal. The stall holders were bust setting up as were the music stage and fair ground. The stalls looked fairly run of the mill and an uninspiring mix of the usual food outlets charity and tombola type stalls. It transpired that the fairground owners organised the stalls and only granted low value participants access so that visitors had plenty of money for their fairground rides, sneaky. It was a blessing for the five of us canal traders that made it there for the day as we did a roaring trade.

It was a scorching hot day on the Sunday with plenty of power going into the batteries via the solar panels so I set the lathe up and turned a few of the pen blanks that I had drilled and glued over the last few days. We even had a visit from the dignitary in the way of the Mayor and Mayoress of Milton Keynes who treated themselves to a pair of pens. We were made to feel very welcome by the local villagers of Fenny Stratford and even invited to the organisers BBQ after we had closed up the shop for the evening. Definitely a location to bookmark for the future. 

Having said our farewells we made our way briskly back up the Grand Union Canal stopping overnight on the edge of Milton Keynes and Weedon Bec before arriving once again at Whilton Locks

Pen #370 was turned at Whilton at the bottom of the Buckby Lock flight.

#369

NOW SOLD

NB Dane Cross Cut Elm and Chrome Ballpoint Twist Pen

(25% of the profits from the sale of this pen will be gifted to the Narrowboat Herritage Foundation, the custodians of NB Dane)

EUROPEAN ELM - Ulmus procera

European Elm has is a light to medium brown, sometimes with a hint of red. With an oil finish, it can turn a beautiful golden brown colour. Unless, of course, it's been kept at the bottom of a canal for an awfully long time.

Narrowboat Dane was built by the Mersey Weaver and Ship Canal Carrying Company and used as part of their fleet. She was built in November 1946 and first registered on January the first 1947. Ade from A P Boatbuilding is currently restoring her on behalf of The Narrowboat Heritage Foundation, the work being done is rebottomed with new chine planks, kelson, stem post and soon to receive two new bow planks, gunwales, decks, new back cabin and engine room. The pens that I will be making from Dane are all from a heavy lump of Elm bottom plate.

We had arranged to travel from Blisworth to Fenny Stratford for the first ever Fenny Stratford Canal Festival. Luckily we just about had enough stock to trade with after the busy weekend in Blisworth. We weren't expecting too many towpath visitors as these events do take a few years to build up a reputation. 

The chief organiser had cleverly decided to host the event on the same day as a local Fenny Poppers day a few streets away. Early on Sunday morning we walked Dudley Boar Dawg in a now familiar loop around the local highstreet and back down the canal. The stall holders were bust setting up as were the music stage and fair ground. The stalls looked fairly run of the mill and an uninspiring mix of the usual food outlets charity and tombola type stalls. It transpired that the fairground owners organised the stalls and only granted low value participants access so that visitors had plenty of money for their fairground rides, sneaky. It was a blessing for the five of us canal traders that made it there for the day as we did a roaring trade.

It was a scorching hot day on the Sunday with plenty of power going into the batteries via the solar panels so I set the lathe up and turned a few of the pen blanks that I had drilled and glued over the last few days. We even had a visit from the dignitary in the way of the Mayor and Mayoress of Milton Keynes who treated themselves to a pair of pens. We were made to feel very welcome by the local villagers of Fenny Stratford and even invited to the organisers BBQ after we had closed up the shop for the evening. Definitely a location to bookmark for the future.

Having said our farewells we made our way briskly back up the Grand Union Canal stopping overnight on the edge of Milton Keynes and Weedon Bec before arriving once again at Whilton Locks

Pen #369 was turned at Whilton at the bottom of the Buckby Lock flight.

#368

NOW SOLD

NB Dane Elm and 24ct Gold Ballpoint Twist Pen

(25% of the profits from the sale of this pen will be gifted to the Narrowboat Herritage Foundation, the custodians of NB Dane)

EUROPEAN ELM - Ulmus procera

European Elm has is a light to medium brown, sometimes with a hint of red. With an oil finish, it can turn a beautiful golden brown colour. Unless, of course, it's been kept at the bottom of a canal for an awfully long time.

Narrowboat Dane was built by the Mersey Weaver and Ship Canal Carrying Company and used as part of their fleet. She was built in November 1946 and first registered on January the first 1947. Ade from A P Boatbuilding is currently restoring her on behalf of The Narrowboat Heritage Foundation, the work being done is rebottomed with new chine planks, kelson, stem post and soon to receive two new bow planks, gunwales, decks, new back cabin and engine room. The pens that I will be making from Dane are all from a heavy lump of Elm bottom plate.

We had arranged to travel from Blisworth to Fenny Stratford for the first ever Fenny Stratford Canal Festival. Luckily we just about had enough stock to trade with after the busy weekend in Blisworth. We weren't expecting too many towpath visitors as these events do take a few years to build up a reputation. 

The chief organiser had cleverly decided to host the event on the same day as a local Fenny Poppers day a few streets away. Early on Sunday morning we walked Dudley Boar Dawg in a now familiar loop around the local highstreet and back down the canal. The stall holders were bust setting up as were the music stage and fair ground. The stalls looked fairly run of the mill and an uninspiring mix of the usual food outlets charity and tombola type stalls. It transpired that the fairground owners organised the stalls and only granted low value participants access so that visitors had plenty of money for their fairground rides, sneaky. It was a blessing for the five of us canal traders that made it there for the day as we did a roaring trade.

It was a scorching hot day on the Sunday with plenty of power going into the batteries via the solar panels so I set the lathe up and turned a few of the pen blanks that I had drilled and glued over the last few days. We even had a visit from the dignitary in the way of the Mayor and Mayoress of Milton Keynes who treated themselves to a pair of pens. We were made to feel very welcome by the local villagers of Fenny Stratford and even invited to the organisers BBQ after we had closed up the shop for the evening. Definitely a location to bookmark for the future. 

Pen #366 was turned at the first ever Fenny Stratford Festival and bought a week later by John and his wife as we ascended the Buckby Lock flight on our way back towards Braunston. 

#367

NOW SOLD

NB Birchills Oak and Chrome Ballpoint Twist Pen

(25% of the profits from the sale of this pen will be gifted to the Black Country Living Museum, the custodians of NB Birchills)

EUROPEAN OAK - Quercus robur

Usually straight-grained, the heartwood of European Oak varies in colour from light tan to brown. Quarter-sawn pieces show attractive flame figuring. The wood is fairly hard, heavy and dense, clean but with the occasional knot. European Oak is a beautiful timber and with an oil finish, the grain will turn a deep golden brown.

This particular piece of oak (probably English rather than European) is just a little bit special though. It comes from the rear cabin side gunwales of Narrowboat Birchills. I was given a few off cuts by the superb craftsmen who were carrying out a little light refurbishment to this historic boat, in fact the guys had cut the whole back cabin off!

Birchills is an historic, ‘Joey’ boat with a small day cabin, built in 1953 by Ernest Thomas of Walsall, ‘Birchills’ it is one of the last wooden day boats made and was used to carry coal to Wolverhampton Power Station. This boat is double-ended and the mast and rudder could be changed from one end to the other. This enabled its use in narrow canals or basins where there was no room to turn the boat around.

The rotten parts of these rebuilt boats are usually used to stoke the fires that steam the new planks for bending to the hulls shape so half a day later this flaky gunwale would have been burned. I wasn't sure how deep the rot would have gone and how deep I would have to delve into this piece to find stable wood. The pens I make from historic boat materials have been thoroughly tested by me to make sure that they will give pleasurable daily use.

That old flaky gunwale went on to make a few very nice pens and I was lucky enough to be given some more wood by Ade at A P Boat Building in Alvecote. This time a piece that appears to be from the old red cabin hatch surround.

We had arranged to travel from Blisworth to Fenny Stratford for the first ever Fenny Stratford Canal Festival. Luckily we just about had enough stock to trade with after the busy weekend in Blisworth. We weren't expecting too many towpath visitors as these events do take a few years to build up a reputation. 

The chief organiser had cleverly decided to host the event on the same day as a local Fenny Poppers day a few streets away. Early on Sunday morning we walked Dudley Boar Dawg in a now familiar loop around the local highstreet and back down the canal. The stall holders were bust setting up as were the music stage and fair ground. The stalls looked fairly run of the mill and an uninspiring mix of the usual food outlets charity and tombola type stalls. It transpired that the fairground owners organised the stalls and only granted low value participants access so that visitors had plenty of money for their fairground rides, sneaky. It was a blessing for the five of us canal traders that made it there for the day as we did a roaring trade.

It was a scorching hot day on the Sunday with plenty of power going into the batteries via the solar panels so I set the lathe up and turned a few of the pen blanks that I had drilled and glued over the last few days. We even had a visit from the dignitary in the way of the Mayor and Mayoress of Milton Keynes who treated themselves to a pair of pens. We were made to feel very welcome by the local villagers of Fenny Stratford and even invited to the organisers BBQ after we had closed up the shop for the evening. Definitely a location to bookmark for the future. 

Pen #367 was turned at the first ever Fenny Stratford Festival