Perfection Found In Nature
  • Journal
  • Designs
  • Unraveled
    • Spreads
  • About
    • Press

Weekly Spindle Review - Phil Powell Russian

7/7/2014

2 Comments

 
Picture





Maker: Phil Powell
Weight: 17 g /  5/8 oz
Length: 9 7/8" Shaft  
Style: Russian Support Spindle
Woods: Asian Tiger Stripe Satin Wood



Interesting looking spindle, with quirky personality.

Picture


For this week's review, I used a small batt sample of BFL, Punta Silk, Firestar and mohair from Sheepy Kitty.  I spun this yarn straight from the batt outside in the wind so it is full of air and truly woolen.  I used this sample as my kick off to TdF.  I also used my stAR pottery lap bowl (which I absolutely love!)

Picture
The first thing that you might notice about this spindle is its weird shape.  It is definitely unique and reminds me of an insect leg; which may be the reason why I haven't warmed up to it all that much.  To be honest, this is the first time I have spun on this spindle.  I acquired it through a destash and added it to my collection.  


The wood used is a huge bonus though.  I'm usually a fan of darker woods but this one glows.  You can see its beauty shining like gold in the sunlight.  I've never heard of Asian Tiger Satin wood but it sure looks as nice as it sounds.  


The lower portion of the shaft has very unique shaping, I haven't seen other russians quite like this.   I would have expected that there would be more weight distributed but this spindle is so light, I didn't seem to get that feeling.  I found this spindle slow going until I had a bit more weight packed on it.


The craftsmanship is visable in this spindle, and you can see that there was great care put into polishing the wood and making sure it was balanced.    

I was able to spin a lace weight 2 ply yarn which is the category of yarns that russian spindles are best known for.  

This spindle also has a decent length which I really appreciate because I like to spin for yardage and being able to hold a fair amount of spun singles is a good thing.  This spindle isn't overly fancy but despite that, this would make a great spindle for either men or women.  
Picture




The base of the spindle holds a metal tip.  These are kinda nice, because there is less friction between the spindle and the bowl than there is with wood.  These tips can be used in all different types of bowls and they provide a smooth support from which to spin.  BUT... I do prefer the look of the seamless or all wooden spindles.  This metal tip reminds me of the point of a pen and it just slightly takes away from the beauty that an all wood spindle has.  The metal does make the tip more durable though, unlike the point of the spindle shaft at at the opposite end.  

Picture




The tip in which you spin off is very delicate on this spindle.  It is so pointy it has chipped off a bit and just like a knitting needle that has split, there seems to be no way to help this but to sand it down a bit.  Now I know this spindle was well taken care of before I owned it.  It has a piece of rubber tubing to protect the end when not in use, but this tip damage has occurred as a result of spinning and with a little TLC, it could be good as new again.  It looks not bad in this picture but upon closer inspection, it looks like a teensy tiny bit has broken off.

Picture
I also find it nice when the spindle maker signs his spindles and this one isn't too bad.  "Powell 2013".  At least it's not written with a sharpie marker but unfortunately I don't think this signature will last as long as one that has been engraved in the wood.  


Spindle rating:
Length of spin: 5.72 seconds (average of three tests)
Fibre storage ability: quite good
Looks: If you can get over the insect leg part and look at the beautiful wood it's gorgeous
Overall Rating: 6.5/10


  If you are looking to try out a russian spindle that is a little slow to start, but has a unique profile then you might look towards this type.  I see these for sale sometimes in the Spindle Candy group on Ravelry and some people love them while others aren't as enamored but I think they are worth a try! 

2 Comments
Autumn link
7/8/2014 05:51:14 am

Thanks for reviewing this! I was looking at a support spindle on Etsy with a shape very much like this yesterday, and wondered how it would handle.

Reply
Susie
7/8/2014 08:10:53 am

Thanks and glad you liked the review. I tend to lean more towards tibetan support spindles but if you were looking to spin beautiful lace weight yarns, then russians are the way to go. Support spindling is a lot of fun, especially cause you can sit comfortably and spin, even in a car (if you are the passenger of course lol) You can usually find decent priced russian spindles that won't break the bank even if you just want to try it out. It also helps that spindles seem to hold their value so if you buy one that you aren't happy with, you can often destash it pretty quickly. Let me know which one you decide on if you get one!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Follow Me:

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    The Wardrobe Architect
    Picture
    Knit Natural
    Follow Knit Natural's board Knit Natural on Pinterest.
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Patterns

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Bankhead
    Blocking
    Blue Hills Fibre Festival
    Braiding
    Classes
    Contest
    Cool
    Cotton
    Coupon Code
    Crochet
    Dyeing
    Eco-dyeing
    Etsy
    Events
    Fibre
    Field And Fable
    Flatlands Collection
    Friday Fibre Update
    Giveaway
    Guest Blogger
    Guild
    Handmade Wardrobe
    Handspun
    Inspiration
    KAL
    Knitter's Oracle
    Knitting
    Manitoba Fibre Festival
    Manitoba Makers Challenge
    Memberships
    New Design
    News
    Olds
    Patterns
    Press
    Products
    Project
    Review
    Sale
    Sask Fashion Week
    Shawl
    Sheep
    Silk
    Soak
    Socks
    Spindles
    Spinning
    Storage
    Thank You
    Thank You
    Thank-you
    TourdeFleece
    Tradeshows
    Tutorial
    Unraveled Oracle
    Weaving
    Wolseley Wool
    Wool
    Wool Judging
    Workshop

    Archives

    September 2022
    August 2022
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    January 2012
    October 2010

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Journal
  • Designs
  • Unraveled
    • Spreads
  • About
    • Press