Pens for Blanks

[garypeck]

Dear All,

I initially posted this thread in the Australian forum asking for some help with a couple of friends' wedding...... Pens in exchange for blanks....

However, after seeing a couple of nice pens that were sent to me......i was thinking to myself..... Damn..... these guys can really build some mean looking pens and i get to keep none of them.....therefore this post.....

The blanks are about 18mm-20mm X 18mm-20mm X 140mm

I'd like to trade:

HuangHuali x 2
Jichimu x 2


for a pair (2) of Jr. Retros or Jr. Gents or Barons (Rollerball......in any plating of your choice......blanks of your choice too.....)

I will pay for postage to get the blanks to you whilst you pay for getting the pens to me....... Would that seem fair??


Below is a little write up on the blanks.... and there are more information on them if you want to google it.....

HUANGHUALI

During Ming and early Qing dynasties, most of the best furniture was made from
Huang Huali wood. The term Huang Huali is not found in early texts, only Huali was
mentioned. Later the prefix Huang was affixed to Huali to distinguish it from the so-called Xin Huali (new Huali)
The modifier~huang was added to describe the old huali wood whose surfaces had mellowed to a yellowish tone due to long exposure to light.

JICHIMU (Jichi wood)

Jichi wood is also known as chicken-wing wood or qizimu. There are two kinds of Jichi wood, an old one and a new one. New Jichi wood is coarse and purplish-black in color, some of the grain lines being purple, other black. The grain is not very clear, and because it is rigid, straight and coarse, the wood has a tendency to split. Old Jichi wood is denser and of a purplish-brown color. The grain, especially in straight cuts, forms very good patterns suggesting the feathers near the neck and wings of a bird. After the middle of Qing dynasty few pieces were made from old Jichi

Thank you so much ........

Regards,
Gary

[garypeck]

ANy takers?? Alternatively..... make me an offer....could be pen kits..... blanks..... etc.....

[rdabpenman]

Gary

Photos and demensions of the blanks you want to trade would help.

Do the blanks look any thing like the first 2 which are Huanghuali or the third photo which is Jichimu?

Les

[Sawdust]

Hello there, Gary,

I too would be curious as to the sizes of the pieces you have. Les's photos show some gorgeous figure. What figure if any does yours have? I would be interested in some pieces in the 3 X 6 X 1/2" size in addition to pen blank size. Thanks in advance for taking the time to show this.

[garypeck]

Hello there, Gary,

I too would be curious as to the sizes of the pieces you have. Les's photos show some gorgeous figure. What figure if any does yours have? I would be interested in some pieces in the 3 X 6 X 1/2" size in addition to pen blank size. Thanks in advance for taking the time to show this.

Hi Ed,

I havent got them in that size currently...... but i might be able to get some in Jichimu only...... the shipping alone is a killer for a blank that size......

Below are some of the blanks which i will be sending...... what Les has shown are big pieces or some planks.......... once cut up to 20mm x 20mm x 140mm..... you wont see so much of it..... maybe whats left of it..... it also depends on how the blanks are cut up.........if the grains are not parallel........ you wont see any figure at all but straight lines......

The blanks are about 18mm-20mm X 18mm-20mm X 140mm

But Les nailed it..... the HuangHuali blanks should be yellow or yellowish in colour..... not red or reddish..... as for the Jichimu..... its either it or not...... dont think you could possibly fake that kinds design on a timber....

Here are some Jichimu Blanks........

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv211/garypeck/IMG_0002-1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv211/garypeck/IMG_0004-1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv211/garypeck/JichiMu-1.jpg

These are the HuangHuali Blanks.....

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv211/garypeck/IMG_0004-2.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv211/garypeck/IMG_0005-1.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv211/garypeck/HuangHuali.jpg

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv211/garypeck/JichimuandHuangHuali.jpg

This is a pen made in HuangHuali.....pictures compliments from Stephen from the IAP..... blank was sent to him.....in exchange for some kits.......

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv211/garypeck/IMG_0019.jpg

[Ragz]

are you wanting pens made from these blanks and returned or are you looking for pens made from other materials in exchange?

[garypeck]

are you wanting pens made from these blanks and returned or are you looking for pens made from other materials in exchange?


Hi Ragz..... the blanks (4) i sent are yours....... i'd like to have the pens (2)made in any timber of your choice......any plating RB or FP is fine by me.....

Any of the mentioned kits is fine too...... if you want to use a different kit...... do let me know.....we can work from there......

[garypeck]

Has everyone received their blanks yet??? I know some have..... hahahaha

[lockyer18]

kits for blanks?....rb or fp kits are generally up in price range...so what kind of a price are you putting on these blanks....

[rdabpenman]

Cory

Over at IAP HangHuali blanks for sale at $150 each and the Lao Jichimu
blanks for sale at $75 each with a certificate of authenticity.
Doesn't look like any have sold yet.
From the photos looks like Gary's blanks my not be the same quality.

Les

[garypeck]

Cory

Over at IAP HangHuali blanks for sale at $150 each and the Lao Jichimu
blanks for sale at $75 each with a certificate of authenticity.
Doesn't look like any have sold yet.
From the photos looks like Gary's blanks my not be the same quality.

Les

Hi Les.... Which professional body is supplying the Certificate of Authenticity?? The reason why im asking this is cause i could issue one too..... but that wouldnt mean a thing.......

When you say...... "may not be the same quality" ........

Regards,
Gary

[garypeck]

kits for blanks?....rb or fp kits are generally up in price range...so what kind of a price are you putting on these blanks....

Hi Cory.... i suppose the Jr. Kits/ Baron Kits are worth between $15-$20......... with a blank on it, possibly another $5 - $10.....

I guess.... im pricing these blanks at about $30 /pc on average.....

[Ragz]

As far as I can tell it's one person on IAP selling the blanks. He makes no mention of where the certificate comes from or what body issued it. Just that the certificate would contain a picture of the blank the the piece of furniture it comes from. Anyone can make a certificate and say it's genuine. Anyone ever get "Genuine" BOW without a certificate??

Simply put both people are offering blanks that are cut from old(antique) chinese furniture.

Personally from the pictures alone I think Gary's look better. If the wood is as rare and valuable as the blanks Dave Lee is offering on IAP then I think Gary is being very generous.

i'd also say that it's a bit unfair to say Gary's may not be the same quality since it's awfully hard to judge the quality without it in hand and compared to David's as well

[Colin Gregg]

hey if you guys want to trade pens for blanks you should do it, as long as both party's are happy.
for me though i dont think any blank is worth that amount of money. i have yet to see any blank better looking than,,,
amboyna burl,
buckeye burl
box elder burl
and of course bow

sorry if this upsets anyone. but just the way i am. i have some english oak blanks, how much would you give me $1 a blank. yes its boring but what about 1 oak blank from the major oak of sherwood forest ( genuine ) yes of robin hood fame,, any takers.

[bohdon]

Just for the record Gary & I have worked out a trade. I wasn't sure on the worth of these blanks and my first offer was...terrible....or was that the 2nd offer.

Anyway my point is that after a couple of notes back & forth we managed to work a deal that is satisfactory to both of us. If these blanks are indeed as expensive as was stated here then I think that I am getting a great deal.

As for the quality time will tell, for me as long as the blanks are dry so as they don't crack then all should be good. Also I don't think there should be any pith at all in a pen blank, if there is it should be on the outside where it would be turned off.

If I stop to think about this for a minute, I think that the pictures that I will find on google will be of exceptional quality. I really don't think someone would post a picture of there worst product.

I'm looking forward to receiving my blanks as I'm sure that Gary is looking forward to receiving my package.

I just wanted to say that I thought Gary is being fair to us.

I'm with Gary here to...Which professional body is supplying the Certificate of Authenticity.

Whom is authenticating these blanks? I could cut up some chokecherry & write up my own certificates. But I don't understand what that would prove?

I have lost some certificates from my BOW, golly I can scan & print my own too, I dunno does that make those particular pens any less authentic?

I just felt I should say something.

Oh yea authentic...I would think that say in the case of the Jichimu what else could it be? Do we have another similar wood that could possibly mistaken for Jichimu?

[Brian]

Hi Cory.... i suppose the Jr. Kits/ Baron Kits are worth between $15-$20......... with a blank on it, possibly another $5 - $10.....

I guess.... im pricing these blanks at about $30 /pc on average.....

I guess your labor is worth piddly squat there Cory...Zippee do da...niltch...ZERO...
I'm with Colin on this one BURLS or BUST....
Thats just my own personal opinion of course

[Ragz]

Just wanted to point out as well that from my googling today the only place to get Jichimu and Huang Hauli blanks or any of this timber appears to be from either Gary or David Lee on IAP. It doesn't seem that you can get either in raw timber either. It either comes from cut up old furniture or reproduction furniture. You might be able to get it from a company in China assuming they are willing to export it and willing to sell it in small lots.

oh and and Colin pointed out for those that want to take Gary up on the trade, if both sides are happy then so be it. No harm no foul

[garypeck]

Hi Colin,

I could trade you some of those Oak blanks from Sherwood forest.....

PM sent

hey if you guys want to trade pens for blanks you should do it, as long as both party's are happy.
for me though i dont think any blank is worth that amount of money. i have yet to see any blank better looking than,,,
amboyna burl,
buckeye burl
box elder burl
and of course bow

sorry if this upsets anyone. but just the way i am. i have some english oak blanks, how much would you give me $1 a blank. yes its boring but what about 1 oak blank from the major oak of sherwood forest ( genuine ) yes of robin hood fame,, any takers.

[gawdelpus]

Well without getting too much into better best, I took Gary up on this offer from another site, I have the wood in hand, and to be honest, I don't think I can do the "jichimu" wood real justice in producing a pen at this time ,it is absolutely beautiful, I have collected a lot of nice woods in the past 9 months ,this is the first one that has grabbed me to the extent I am hesitant to whittle away at it .The "huang Huali" whilst being one of the most expensive woods in asia is a bit more subdued,both in being a lighter color and less contrasts and form .I think I will use that first hehe .cheers :) John

[lockyer18]

I guess your labor is worth piddly squat there Cory...Zippee do da...niltch...ZERO...
I'm with Colin on this one BURLS or BUST....
Thats just my own personal opinion of course


lol brian i know what your saying....and gary i was just wondering about these blanks and how the price was determined when i posted my comments ...they look like beautifull blanks and im sure people will enjoy them....i think my problem was that i was looking around ebay and seen some severely overpriced blanks being sold.... for my market here plus the price of kits i would have to charge close to a hundred bucks a pen....not saying my work isnt worth it but my market doesnt dictate that price.....i would have a lot of keepers...i hope you do well with that wood and im sure it wont be in your hands for long....:cool:

[Larry in Harrow]

Forget the damn oak- we need Robin Hood. :)

[garypeck]

Im serious about the oak from Sherwood Forest...... I like timber with some history to it......

I believe a nice pen will sell better if there is some kinda story attached to it.... ie BOW, Ancient Kauri, Bog Wood etc.......

So..... if there is such a thing as Timber from Sherwood Forest...... i'd very much like to get my hands on some.....or if you guys have any interesting timber..... i'd like to trade for some.....

Even coffee blanks is interesting...... actually...i'd like to have some of those too..... hahaha...... i can imagine a coffee connesieur wanting that kinda pen......

Regards,
Gary

[garypeck]

Hi Cory....

To be honest with you...... im not too sure how these are being priced either..... what i came up with was a pretty rough estimate of kit and blank....not taking into considersation man hours to build that pen....

I was looking through at some timber being offered for sale and realised that i too had access to some of those exotic ones being in Asia......

Anyway.....this is only a thread to swap for pens and blanks...... not like we're dealing with millions of dollars here..... hahaha No worries..... and thanks for the interest.....

Any by the way...... those pen that were build using these timber sells for at least $700 and up (there are a few websites with these exotic timber pens)....... so you might want to price it higher than a $100..... hahaha......

If you ever need any of these blanks.... do let me know..... i'll swap you .....

Regards,
Gary


lol brian i know what your saying....and gary i was just wondering about these blanks and how the price was determined when i posted my comments ...they look like beautifull blanks and im sure people will enjoy them....i think my problem was that i was looking around ebay and seen some severely overpriced blanks being sold.... for my market here plus the price of kits i would have to charge close to a hundred bucks a pen....not saying my work isnt worth it but my market doesnt dictate that price.....i would have a lot of keepers...i hope you do well with that wood and im sure it wont be in your hands for long....:cool:

[Larry in Harrow]

Thou shall not crack wise!

The Humor Police have spoken.:D:D

[lockyer18]

no problemo....and thx....

[garypeck]

OK.....so far i have received some pens from John..... Thank you very much!!! I will be posting some pics is a few days time...... havent had the time to take pictures yet......

Still waiting for a few more this week...... but please only send the pens when you have received the blanks.....

Thank you so much.....

Regards,
Gary


Truestone Green Baron Rollerball

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv211/garypeck/IMG_0092.jpg

Acrylic "Churchill" Rollerball

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv211/garypeck/IMG_0093.jpg

Rib Fruited Malley Baron Rollerball

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv211/garypeck/IMG_0094.jpg

Vasticola Baron Rollerball

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv211/garypeck/IMG_0095.jpg

[Boom]

Gary,

If your still interested in some pens I am interested in some of these blanks.


Thanks in advance.

Troy

[garypeck]

Hi Troy,

PM sent....

regards,
Gary

Gary,

If your still interested in some pens I am interested in some of these blanks.


Thanks in advance.

Troy

[keithkarl]

if possible i would love to trade bog oak and bog yew in exchange for blanks
thats if there are still blanks available