The Pen Makers Boat: #497 Now Sold

Rare Oak Burr and 24ct Gold Plated Fountain Pen

A burr (American burl) is a tree growth in which the grain has grown in a deformed manner. It is commonly found in the form of a rounded outgrowth on a tree trunk or branch that is filled with small knots from dormant buds.

A burr results from a tree undergoing some form of stress. It may be environmental or introduced by humans. Most burr grow beneath the ground, attached to the roots as a type of malignancy that is generally not discovered until the tree dies or falls over. Such burrs sometimes appear as groups of bulbous protrusions connected by a system of rope-like roots. Almost all burr wood is covered by bark, even if it is underground. Insect infestation and certain types of mould infestation are the most common causes of this condition.

Burr yields a very peculiar and highly figured wood, one prized for its beauty by many; its rarity also adds to its expense. It is sought after by people such as furniture makers (mainly used as veneers, artists, and wood sculptors. The knots and twists in oak Burrs are usually a few per foot or so, however these pens have many more to make a spectacular premium quality dressing for only the best of the pen mechanisms that I sell.

Seasoning burr can be a long drawn out process that can take many years and there is no guarantee that there will be any usable timber once it is sawn.

From Tixall Wide the canal winds its way across the Staffordshire countryside, skirting the westerly side of Cannock Chase past Staffordshire town and up a few locks to Penkridge, our next stopping point. A beautiful trip of about 10 miles and 6 locks, we even had some fantastic spring weather to spirit us on our way.

First was an overnight stop off in Stafford to try out their brand new Aldi supermarket. Sad isn't it but when you live on the canal and your only transport is a 3mph boat, the thought of having a supermarket within walking distance of the canal is unimaginable, for a start we can carry more wine!

The flood plane across the river Penk and the Deepmoor Drain were still past waterlogged and firmly into lake territory as we walked further towards Stafford and up the shops for more supplies. I didn't stop to make any pens here but planned on a couple of days at the market town of Penkridge.

Penkridge market is great, I remember the first time we went to this affluent little town’s market and thought ‘oh ‘eck those eggs are pricey’ only to find that it was a livestock day and I was looking at a tray of soon to be hatching blue duck eggs!

We were fortunate to meet up with some fellow trading friends Barry and Sandra. Fortunate because their boat ‘Are and Are’ is the Home-brew Boat and Barry was trying out some new kits, a rather spicy red wine and some creamy smooth real ale - well it would have been rude not to help with the quality control.

Pen #497 was turned at Penkridge on 14th April 2016