A few custom pens

[kd5tmu]

Nothing terribly exciting, but here are a few pens that I have made.

My first pen, the one that started it all. It was my first time at the lathe, and it's nothing to write home about. Tulipwood:





Second, a pencil, from cocobolo, in the "Cigar Pen" style. I made a matching pen that I cannot find at the moment. Gold toned parts. Notice the carved lines on either end of each section.




Third, a Cigar Pen, a twist ballpoint, in African Blackwood with rhodium plated parts. will have a matching pencil one day. Carved grip lines, and other carved lined on either end of each section.




Lastly, Ilija's (now famous) Cocobolo Fountain Pen.

[FiReSTaRT]

Great work Harry For some reason I find the last one the most beautiful of the bunch

[xChris]

I personally like the blackwood, and Iljia's pen is very nice too.

[kd5tmu]

I like the blackwood too. It is what I am going to use to make my next fountain pen, which I will probably put up for sale or trade here on SRP, if it is okay. Trade for shaving stuff, obviously. We'll see how it goes.

[kd5tmu]

Tonight I made a pen/pencil set on a commission from my fiancee's dad. His requirements were

Classic Slim
Cocobolo
Gold-toned parts
Matching pencil

I took some creative liberty, beefing up the lower barrel so that it fits better in the hand. I finished the pen in Hard Carnuba Wax, which was set with friction on the lathe. The pencil is a click type, and the pen is a twist ballpoint. Here are the pics, in the presentation box, which I signed.


Pen in the back, pencil forward.


Note, the pen, in the back, has more purple in the wood, that was just how the blank was.




This set, if I were to sell it, would probably sell for somewhere between 40-45 USD.


What think ye?

[JMS]

They are beautiful!!
I believe that you are selling yourself short!!
I mean to say that you should be asking much more for your pens!!

[izlat]

They are beautiful!!
I believe that you are selling yourself short!!
I mean to say that you should be asking much more for your pens!!

Hold your horses! I don't have one yet

just kidding... yes, beautiful! I like the Blackwood as material most, but Ilija's pen looks great too!

Would love to hear more on nibs, fill system, feeders, trim options (e.g. - can you do silver?) - the works

Cheers
Ivo

ps: I mean I'd like to learn what is used by you for parts in particular, so that I can decide if I want something

[kd5tmu]

Ivo,
Standard nibs are "medium". They are generally tipped with Iridium, a hard metal of the platinum family that holds up well to writing (remember, paper is abrasive). I prefer a medium nib because the line is broader, and I don't write small enough to need fine, I think. some people prefer heavier nibs, like broad.

As for fill systems, the ones in use in newly manufactured pens (ie-the ones I make), are either a piston converter (you twist to get the converter to draw ink in) or a cartridge (a popular option for people who hate getting their hands dirty). I use a converter because overtime, it saves money and waste (gee, one of the reasons I use a straight).

The blackwood pen, and Ilija's pen are made with parts that are Rhodium plated. This is a white metal, or what some would call silver-colored, so yes, it is possible to do silver. Some pen styles also have the option for "black chrome" or a shiny very dark metal. It all depends.

Also, it isn't always wood. There are celluloid and Acrylic Acetate materials available too. I don't happen to have my Blue and White Acrylic Acetate one available right now, it's missing somewhere in my mess of a room. When I find it, I'll post pictures. One material I wanna work with (but it's expensive) is a clear acrylic that is lined inside with rattlesnake skin, it makes for a cool-looking pen. Check this out that someone made:



Or corncob, haha:



As you can see, the options are endless.

If you have anything specific you might want, let me know. As I get some money, I'll be trying new things, like 2 woods in one pen. We'll see how these things go. Let me know waht you're looking for, and I'm sure something can be arranged.

[Bruno]

Beautiful work.
I always use whatever pens I get at conventions, companies or wherever.
I never write much down anyway except for shopping lists or post it notes.

I suppose if writing or signing documents was something I did often, I would have a more high-end pen.

Actually, I do have a high-end pen, but I don't use it that often because it is metal, and heavy enough to club someone to death. Don't know the brand though.

[FiReSTaRT]

Harry, in all honesty I wouldn't complain if someone offered it for twice your estimated price. You are doing some beautiful work and 50 is too little for a 2 instrument set.