#382

A Commissioned Pen

Padouk and Chrome Ballpoint Twist Pen

PADOUK - Pterocarpus soyauxii

Padouk has a very unique reddish orange coloration, and the wood is sometimes referred to by the name Vermillion. Unfortunately, this dramatic color is inevitably darkened to a deep reddish brown color. Heartwood color can vary, ranging from a pale pinkish orange to a deep brownish red. Most pieces tend to start reddish orange when freshly cut, darkening substantially over time to a reddish/purplish brown

Padouk is moderately heavy, strong, and stiff, with exceptional stability. It also has a beautiful aroma when turned and sanded. It is closely related to Amboyna. 

I started work on pen #382 back when we arrived in Birmingham to visit friends trading at the floating market. We had a great time in Birmingham as ever and were treated to some spectacular entertainment at the arts fest which was a relaxing way to spend some time after a long hard day helping fellow traders Dan and Keri up two long lock flights with their boat and new (to them) 1930's butty boat Lyra (see Keri in the tunnel below). 

Next mooring was a few hours away in Tipton, the canal was clearer than I've seen for a long time with some quite large shoals of fish swimming through the ribbon like weeds but we were only here for a short while and we were expecting visits from friends, customers and the lovely couple we had Dudley Dawg from. Our next planned mooring was after a few hard days taking the boat through industrial Wolverhampton and down through the 21 locks and up onto the Shropshire Union Canal but, just as you approach Wolverhampton there is a junction off to the right and a canal we've not been on yet the Wyrley and Essington - known as the curly Wurly.

We turned right and headed through industrial Walsall and out into open countryside towards the edge of Cannock Chase. In Pelsall the sun came out and the wind finally dropped so I could carry on making pens.

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