Group Shot

Very Nice! I like them all but the far left (cherry maybe) is my favorite.

Thank you Chris, that would be the Alder one. See it in the photo on the right... I like the form of that one the most too. The Cherry is center right. I think the Alder opener is the last one I turned. The folks who said that the way to get better is to do a lot of one thing are correct. In order of creation, the maple one is first, Cherry is second, Walnut is third, Alder is the last. I can't remember exactly when I did the Oak one. It might have been third or fourth.

Not shown is an Oak letter opener that I sent to my sister for Christmas. I liked the form but I didn't like the way the Oak looked. I'm not sure I got a picture of that one.

Jim,

Your form definatly got better, keep doing some more they are getting better very quickly.

Are you bandsawing and sanding the flats after you turn them?

Thank you Chris.

Yes that is exactly how I do it. I turned the wands after that last Alder opener too. I think it shows.

Cool letter openers... How do you turn those? That walnut one is especially nice except I like the shape and length of the alder "blade" better. Nice work!

Jonathon

Jonathon,
The letter openers are essentially just spindles, which are the easiest thing to turn if you don't have a chuck. As my skill with the skew increases the forms seem to get better. Of course I have the requisite catch now and then, but then the design just seems to get better for some reason...

Once you have the basic shape turned and sanded, then you remove the opener from the lathe and bandsaw the flats. Sand and finish. Does that answer your question?