One Eyed Sissoo

[Scott Hackler]

Here is the last of the Sissoo (Indian Rosewood), that Kathy Marshall sent me. I love this stuff and will have to bribe her for more!

African Blackwood finial. Finished with BLO and Ren Wax only. 3" wide x 6" tall, hollowed to about 1/8" thick.

Comments and critiques are VERY welcome, Thanks

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[Jim Burr]

I'm impressed with the finial! Had to be a CNC job since turning that thin is not gonna happen!! The mouth is making me hold back a bit...just not sure about it yet. Cool finish and form overall!

[Paul Heely]

I like the shape of the main body. I wonder how the finial would look if the middle part was moved down a bit instead of being in the middle of the finial. Nice job on the thin finial though. Overall I like it a lot.

[Jamie Donaldson]

I was just noticing the little blurb below your comments Scott, about "no, it's not thin enough yet." Oh yes, this one is! Nice job with the rosewood as well.

[charlie knighton]

form has some nice lift, pretty wood

[John Keeton]

Beautiful piece of wood, Scott, and a good form. Like Jim, I am not sure about the swell at the top, but the finial is extremely well done!! While it would work with the "bulge" moved down on the shaft, I think it does very well as it is. Nice work, Scott!!!

[David DeCristoforo]

This one I like although it almost got lost in the Joe Landon blitz. It breaks almost every "rule" in the book but it works. Nicely done!

[Jon McElwain]

LOVE that finial!

[Scott Hackler]

Thanks for the comments and no Jim there is not CNC machine, just a real sharp retail gouge and a steady hand.

This is my development into a unique finial. The next one (already done, waiting on the WOP to dry on the HF) is noticeably thinner than this one!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Great piece Scott. Love that finial.

[Baxter Smith]

Beautiful wood Scott. I can see why you want more. The finial is definitely fitting for you! The neck of the form I will have to think about. At first look, it seems like a lot of changes in direction going on up to the top. Looking forward to seeing your next one!

[David E Keller]

Neat piece, Scott! I like the exaggerated height of the finial on this piece especially with it being so thin and graceful. I stared at the neck of this one for a little while, and I think the change of direction between neck and lid is what's drawing my eye. When the neck gets vertical like that, I really struggle to try and 'continue the curve' into the lid. I really like the finial on this piece... Graceful and feminine, and it also reminds me a bit of a stylized bird.

[Curt Fuller]

Wow Scott, this is really nice. I love the finial!

[Bob Bergstrom]

The finial reminds me a egret (bird) the long legs, body, and long neck are all present. Agree with others on the neck area. Still overall great job.

[Kathy Marshall]

Looks great Scott! I too love the finial, really cool design! Also love the wood and I'm waiting impatiently for the call that says they cut another one down (they know I really want more sissoo)! No need for bribes, I'll send you a big chunk from the next load I get.

[Alan Trout]

Scott,

I really like the final and I really like the form but not sure I like both of them together. The problem in my eye is the neck does not flow well into the final. I think the form with the neck is fine on its own and does not need the final to complete the form. The final deserves a piece that flows into it better. I think this one is plenty thin. Any thinner and I might not be able to see it.

Great work on both pieces.

Alan

[Michelle Rich]

kathy sent you some goreous wood..I like the vessel..but I can't really see the finial..it's all blurry in my monitor...

[Scott Hackler]

Thanks for the additional comments and critiques. I have something to admit regarding this piece. The finial was NOT made for this one. I had made it for a different form and because I didn't measure correctly for the tenon of the finial.... it didn't fit the opening. This form, having just completed it, was sitting there so I tried the finial and it "almost" fit, but was a little loose. So I wrapped the finial tenon with 1 layer of masking tape to make it a bit larger and put it on the form. I agree that it's not a perfect marriage, but wanted to see if the crowd saw the same things as I did. This finial design is still something I am pursueing and will refine more and more. But I will agree that this HF doesnt need or fit this particular finial. I will take a finial-less picture and post it as well. Thanks again.

[Scott Hackler]

OK, here is the vessel without the finial.

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And here is a photochopped version. To help me refine my vessels and what will be "my" signature finial... how does this combo look? I moved the bulb of the finial down and lowered the collar of the vessel.

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[Alan Trout]

Thats better, but the finial needs the same slope or curve as the neck of the vessel so it has a seamless transition. Like a I said the vessel looks great without any finial.

Alan

[Jon Nuckles]

Scott, That finial is fantastic! Do you hand carve the tip after turning the rest of the finial between centers? Really nice work.


just a real sharp retail gouge and a steady hand

I have a pretty steady hand; it must be the darn wholesale gouges I've been using that prevent me from getting results like yours.:D

[Scott Hackler]

Jon, the tip is not as complicated as that. While turning the finial I an extra "bulge" on the tip (similar to the middle bulge) and after the whole thing it done I hold it VERY carefully on my bench sander until it grinds off the part I dont want! Then I clean it up with some fine grit sandpaper. As far as the actual turning thin deal... well this is just an evolution of where I am now. I enjoy making the dainty / fragile stuff and believe me... I broke plenty until I refined my own skills to allow for turning this thin. Plus African Blackwood allows for it. I shape a lot of these thin finials with an un-orthodox method (pull scraping cuts) , but it works for me.

[John Keeton]

Scott, as you said, the form and finial were not made for each other, and I agree with Alan on the transition. With the base on this finial, I don't know that a smooth transition on this form is possible.

However, I do kind of like the lowered "bulge" - let's call it the bulb:). Whatever you end up doing, you do need to continue with this finial idea - it has great potential IMO.