NB Dane Oak and Gun Metal Premium 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 #634 was turned on 25th August at 2016 at Evesham on The River Avon -
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.
It's lovely to get some proper boating in. Having left the hectic weekend at the Blisworth Festival we had a choice to either head back into Birmingham and then south to Stourport on Severn for the Floating Market and River Carnival weekend; or to break off south earlier and head to Stratford Upon Avon via the river Avon and then up the river Severn to Stourport. Luckily the weather was with us and we chose the river route.
Whilst it certainly made a nice change to be on the rivers they do tend to be far more rural and, well once you've seen one field bordered by trees it all gets a bit samey. We were delighted that our daughter Jess was able to visit us on the rivers for the bank holiday weekend though, it was a real treat. Here's the -tongue in cheek- itinerary that I posted to her FaceBook wall...
..."We are pleased to confirm your Bank Holiday weekend booking aboard NB Lois Jane.
Our representative, Mr Dudwey, will meet you in Worcester where you will be conveyed via railway to Evesham old town moorings where a pimms reception awaits your embarkation in the captains lounge.
Fridays leisurely cruise down the River Avon will see you passing river meadows and quintessential English villages such as Chadbury, Fladbury and Wyre Piddle (no not made up names) before mooring at Pershore.
Saturday will see a longer days cruise mooring overnight in Tewkesbury, the Avon/Severn Junction, before heading north over Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday (moorings yet to be confirmed) along the non tidal River Severn to Worcester"..
You can follow my pen making here on this blog and our travels on another blog here
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