This Purpleheart and 10k Gold Slimline Twist Pen is made from the same chunk of wood as the Purpleheart Bowl I posted last week. The interesting thing was, when I was sanding it with the 600 grit sandpaper, I accidentally rediscovered that this wood burns easily and turns a vivid grape purple when it burns. So I deliberately burned the surface of the pen with the fine paper before applying the finish. The effect is a beautiful deep purple, completely natural colored, pen.
This second pen is also from the same chunk of wood, but I was careful not to burn it, so I could preserve the natural color of the wood. Also note the different forms - rounded verses custom-grip like the first pen.Purpleheart, also sometimes called amaranth or violet wood, comes from several species of tropical trees native to Central and South America. The heartwood is a light purple when cut, and darkens upon exposure to sunlight, reaching first a darker purple and eventually a brown with a purple cast. It is hard and strong, and takes attention when turning, requiring sharp tools, gentle cuts, and a LOT of sanding. An interesting side note: every kind of wood smells different when turned. Maple smells kind of like pancake syrup, mesquite like warm raw meat, walnut like something sour. Well, the dust and shavings from this wood at first smelled kind of sweet, but as I kept smelling it as I was working, it started to smell more meaty, and then kind of like sweet warm old meat. Yuck. Wikipedia says the dust can cause nausea. I can see that. Don't worry, the finished work is scentless.
The pen parts are 24k gold plated, and supplied with a Cross style refill that features a premium Swiss-made carbide writing tip for smooth, consistent writing. They both have a great feel in the hand - that's one of the advantages of a custom made pen - you can make it fit your hand instead of making your hand fit the pen.
Price for either Purpleheart and 24k Gold Twist Pen: $25.00. Order a matching pencil for a Pen and Pencil Set.
1 comment:
I've got the second purpleheart pen shown here, and I can't tell you how many times I've just stopped, picked it up, and stared at it, fidgeting while my mind wanders. Inevitably, my mind comes back to where I am, and I wonder, "Has my purpleheart gotten more...purple?" It's hard to tell. Every change in lighting changes the colors I see. And the depth of the texture is cool; sometimes you feel like you're peering INto the wood.
And I like the way the pen feels solid in my hand while I write. It's grown on me.
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