NB Dane Oak and Gun Metal Premium Ballpoint Twist Pen
(A donation from the sale of this pen will be gifted to The Narrowboat Heritage Foundation, the Custodians of NB Dane)
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 planking of Narrowboat Dane. I was given a few off cuts by the superb craftsmen who were carrying out the extensive refurbishment to this historic boat.
The rotten parts of these rebuilt boats are usually used to stoke the fires that steam the new planks for bending to the hull's shape.Luckily these pieces of elm were too important to burn and have been properly stored. 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.
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 re-bottomed 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 and a replaced side plank made of oak.
Pen #628 was turned on Saturday 13th August at 2016 at Blisworth Festival.
“Didn’t we have a loverrly time the day we went to Blisworth…”
Ok so it’s not Bangor as in the 1979 Fiddler’s Dram lyrics, but I can’t help singing (however badly) this opening line to joyful song on our cruise south to trade at Blisworth Canal Festival. In my opinion, and that of many of this year’s 40,000 plus happy attendees, Blisworth is the quintessential British summer fair.
Great things to do… great things to see… and great things to buy… should really be the Blisworth Canal Partnership’s strapline when advertising Blisworth Canal Festival 2016. And the dusting of icing on this perfect victoria sandwich is that it’s all free, no entry charges and no parking charges!
For those who have never visited (shame on you!) the festival is split into three distinctly different areas. Firstly the festival field with the best of British entertainment including everything from dog shows, ferret racing and rifle ranges to face-painting, candyfloss and bouncy castles. Secondly, the village itself opens it’s arms and gardens for an intimate and leisurely sojourn past steam engines and cream teas on church pews to the very special gardens of Blisworth House (C1702) which was the perfect location for local crafts and a rare breed farmyard animals.
Of course last but not least is the canal itself with waterside bands and beer tents, boat trips and the piece de resistance (well I am slightly biassed) the colourful and eclectic floating market. For Debbie and I on the Pen Maker’s Boat it was an absolute bumper of a weekend, definitely our busiest to date. Sadly we were too busy to get around to see much of the frivolity during the festival opening hours but us boaters certainly know how to make up for it at the beer tent in the evenings.
See ya next year Blisworth!
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 planking of Narrowboat Dane. I was given a few off cuts by the superb craftsmen who were carrying out the extensive refurbishment to this historic boat.
The rotten parts of these rebuilt boats are usually used to stoke the fires that steam the new planks for bending to the hull's shape.Luckily these pieces of elm were too important to burn and have been properly stored. 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.
Pen #628 was turned on Saturday 13th August at 2016 at Blisworth Festival.
“Didn’t we have a loverrly time the day we went to Blisworth…”
Ok so it’s not Bangor as in the 1979 Fiddler’s Dram lyrics, but I can’t help singing (however badly) this opening line to joyful song on our cruise south to trade at Blisworth Canal Festival. In my opinion, and that of many of this year’s 40,000 plus happy attendees, Blisworth is the quintessential British summer fair.
Great things to do… great things to see… and great things to buy… should really be the Blisworth Canal Partnership’s strapline when advertising Blisworth Canal Festival 2016. And the dusting of icing on this perfect victoria sandwich is that it’s all free, no entry charges and no parking charges!
For those who have never visited (shame on you!) the festival is split into three distinctly different areas. Firstly the festival field with the best of British entertainment including everything from dog shows, ferret racing and rifle ranges to face-painting, candyfloss and bouncy castles. Secondly, the village itself opens it’s arms and gardens for an intimate and leisurely sojourn past steam engines and cream teas on church pews to the very special gardens of Blisworth House (C1702) which was the perfect location for local crafts and a rare breed farmyard animals.
Of course last but not least is the canal itself with waterside bands and beer tents, boat trips and the piece de resistance (well I am slightly biassed) the colourful and eclectic floating market. For Debbie and I on the Pen Maker’s Boat it was an absolute bumper of a weekend, definitely our busiest to date. Sadly we were too busy to get around to see much of the frivolity during the festival opening hours but us boaters certainly know how to make up for it at the beer tent in the evenings.
See ya next year Blisworth!
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