Question about hair fork design

[neko_kawaii]

I've been inspired to make a monsoon themed set of toys for myself and I've been playing around with some sketches. I'd like to have a lightning bolt shape for the tines but I'm not sure how it would work for a hair fork. Would it actually insert smoothly?

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/neko_kawaii_hair/_DSC9224_zps31bb0fcc.jpg
Ignore the top, I'm not happy with it but I want some feedback on if the tines like this would even work. I only have the one piece of wood this size so I'd be pretty irritated to make it and find out I couldn't get it into my hair. Does anyone have experience with tines like this? The piece is 3 3/16 inches wide and I plan for each tine to be about 1/4 inch in diameter once sanded down.

[Yozhik]

I've seen tines like this before in drug store hairtoys, so I'm pretty sure they would work, although I've never tried them myself...also, they remind me a bit of ketylos (although I guess they're single sticks...). If the tines are too close together I feel like there'd be potential for tangling, though.

I like your idea, by the way - sounds like this'll be really cool!

[Venefica]

I think the tines would work as long as they are sanded down enough and made smooth. This sounds like a cool chair fork though.

[neko_kawaii]

Great thank! I'll keep working on my sketch for the top.

[truepeacenik]

On the Ketylo forks and wood forks, the tines are the same pattern. In thinner material it can vary. I'm guessing flexibility is the deciding factor.

[Kherome]

http://www.etsy.com/listing/151001157/wood-curved-tines-french-twist-4-prong?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_query=french+twist+hair+fork&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade

[Seeshami]

I am sure it will work Neko. I have an acrylic from Eaduard that looks lightning bolt ish. If I remember when I get home I will take pictures for you.

[neko_kawaii]

Thanks ladies, that is wonderful reassurance. (I do want to see your pix Seeshami. *grin* ) I was working on the sketch for the top this morning and I just can't make the clouds look cloud-like! Argh!

I like this with the stick and two tines.
http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/neko_kawaii_hair/_DSC9165_zps6ce5b095.jpg
but everything I've sketched looks silly on top of four tines. I keep telling myself that once it is in my hair only the clouds will be visible but my brain is still processing the whole picture. (Also I don't want to introduce any weak points.)

[neko_kawaii]

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/neko_kawaii_hair/_DSC9226_zpsf8abfce0.jpg
See what I mean.

[Anje]

Just a thought, but I'd say that with a tighter bun, having the tines zigzagging in opposite directions like you've sketched might make it hard to push in and possibly could cause stress to the fork. The stiffer (thicker) the tines are, the tougher I think it would be. If you made them zigzag in sync with each other instead (ZZZZ instead of ZSZS, does that make any sense?), I think it'll lock into a bun nearly as well but would be less of a fight to get in and out.

[neko_kawaii]

Yah, I get what you are saying. I considered both and now I can't remember why I chose to draw them as ZSZS. Aesthetics probably. *rolls eyes*

[neko_kawaii]

There it is with ZZZZ tines.
http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/neko_kawaii_hair/_DSC9228_zpsf07d54fc.jpg
Much better. Thanks Anje!

[PraiseCheeses]

Thanks ladies, that is wonderful reassurance. (I do want to see your pix Seeshami. *grin* ) I was working on the sketch for the top this morning and I just can't make the clouds look cloud-like! Argh!

I like this with the stick and two tines.
http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/neko_kawaii_hair/_DSC9165_zps6ce5b095.jpg
but everything I've sketched looks silly on top of four tines. I keep telling myself that once it is in my hair only the clouds will be visible but my brain is still processing the whole picture. (Also I don't want to introduce any weak points.)

I LOVE these. Great idea!

[Yozhik]

I agree with PraiseCheeses - the one and two-tine designs are beautiful, and I also really like the proposed top for the 4-tines. :thumbsup:

Are you carving them yourself? Have you thought about what woods you want to use?

[neko_kawaii]

I LOVE these. Great idea!


I agree with PraiseCheeses - the one and two-tine designs are beautiful, and I also really like the proposed top for the 4-tines. :thumbsup:

Are you carving them yourselves? Have you thought about what woods you want to use?

Thank you! They are for me! I have wenge and sycamore. Here are the pieces I'm working with.
http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg632/neko_kawaii_hair/_DSC9168_zps935ee1f6.jpg

And I started on the two tine today! (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/entry.php?b=110694) I still have the cloud details to work out.

[Yozhik]

Great progress! It already distinctly looks like what it will turn into. I hear wenge is very difficult to work with, so kudos to you. :)

(also, apologies for my horrible grammar in the post you quoted! I usually try to proof before I post, but some mistakes still slip through :o)

[neko_kawaii]

Great progress! It already distinctly looks like what it will turn into. I hear wenge is very difficult to work with, so kudos to you. :)

(also, apologies for my horrible grammar in the post you quoted! I usually try to proof before I post, but some mistakes still slip through :o)

So far, I find that working with the coping saw and dremel is inconceivably easier than carving with a knife. I've made two other sticks from wenge carving with a knife and it was the most splintery frustrating experience! We'll see if I feel the same way once I've worked on the details and sanding, but I expect it to be smooth sailing.

Oh, me, myself, and I always catch my spelling and grammar errors after hitting post. *wink*

[Seeshami]

Here is that stick I was talking about:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/BrokenCagedBird/20130603_2033031_zpse5513815.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BrokenCagedBird/media/20130603_2033031_zpse5513815.jpg.html)

I love it