Hand made pens

[glycerine]

I'm sure alot of you guys used to be or still are pen makers. I've recently gotten into the hobby myself and have been thinking of selling them to further support my habit... I mean hobby.
I was wondering if there'd be any interest from those here on B&B to buy hand crafted pens - ballpoint, rollerball and fountain pens.

 

[Austin]

I have owned several custom made pens in the past. The biggest problems with these pens are balance and nib quality with fountain pens.

 

[glycerine]

I have owned several custom made pens in the past. The biggest problems with these pens are balance and nib quality with fountain pens.

Do you know which kits they were or where they came from? The kits themselves can cost close to $100 if not more for the nice ones. I have yet to try one of those, but I would imagine they have good quality nibs and are well balance, depending on what the maker uses to create the body. I made one of the majestic kits from Penn State Industries, it's a rollerball, but the weight and balance are great for me. I can't speak for the fountain pen versions yet.

 

[DS/B MCS]

Do you know which kits they were or where they came from? The kits themselves can cost close to $100 if not more for the nice ones. I have yet to try one of those, but I would imagine they have good quality nibs and are well balance, depending on what the maker uses to create the body. I made one of the majestic kits from Penn State Industries, it's a rollerball, but the weight and balance are great for me. I can't speak for the fountain pen versions yet.

I've been turning pens for about 4 years now. It is a very fun and profitable hobby. I'm sure there is a market here for your pens. I've thought about selling a few myself, but I stay busy enough with my sales on other forums, etc.
I don't know anyone who uses a Fountain pen on a regular basis that would be happy with a kit nib. Throw those kit nibs away and get some of the 14k nibs that will fit your kits. There are a few online vendors that sell them, but prices start about $50ea, so you need to know your market.

Rattlesnake Baron FP

 

[Austin]

Do you know which kits they were or where they came from? The kits themselves can cost close to $100 if not more for the nice ones. I have yet to try one of those, but I would imagine they have good quality nibs and are well balance, depending on what the maker uses to create the body. I made one of the majestic kits from Penn State Industries, it's a rollerball, but the weight and balance are great for me. I can't speak for the fountain pen versions yet.

Unfortunately, I don't know what kit was used. One of them was a wooden ballpoint and the other was some type of resin fountain pen. I'm sure there are quality kits available for this endeavor. The problem I experienced was writer's fatigue.

 

[glycerine]

I like the rattlesnake blanks. I've been thinking of all sorts of other things to use in a clear acrylic resin. My problem with fountain pens is that I've never been a fountain pen user, so I don't yet know what a good nib or bad nib is. But I will take your advice when making the kits and just go ahead and purchase a higher end nib for any fountain pen kits that I make.
Let me ask this question. What is it about the fountain pens that people like so much? Some of the rollerballs that I have used write as smooth as silk. Is it the ability to widen and narrow with pressure? The fast flow of the ink?

 

[glycerine]

Unfortunately, I don't know what kit was used. One of them was a wooden ballpoint and the other was some type of resin fountain pen. I'm sure there are quality kits available for this endeavor. The problem I experienced was writer's fatigue.

The ballpoints aren't always that great. I usually replace them with a gel refill that writes more like a rollerball.

 

[DS/B MCS]

Let me ask this question. What is it about the fountain pens that people like so much? Some of the rollerballs that I have used write as smooth as silk. Is it the ability to widen and narrow with pressure? The fast flow of the ink?

Lots of different reasons

The nib conforms to your writing style, smooth ink flow, numerous color options, different size/style nibs, etc. I just prefer the ease of a Rollerball w/Schmidt refill...as do many of my customers

 

[crocto]

rudy vey on here makes his own custom pens and he's got a website as well.

http://www.ultimatependesigns.com/

i hope this doesn't get me in trouble.

 

[krissy]

*sigh*
I love pens, i've got all kinds,
granted they aren't the handmade or super expensive ones but it's just something I like to buy. Some women buy shoes.... I buy pens. I go in a store and if they have an isle with pens, i'm going to look and chances are i might come out with a package. I only buy the ones that don't have caps to lose and only the fat ones. The sad thing is my kids always run away with them so then i just need to buy more.

 

[glycerine]

rudy vey on here makes his own custom pens and he's got a website as well.

http://www.ultimatependesigns.com/

i hope this doesn't get me in trouble.

Nice, they look great. I'm working on a website as well...

 

[glycerine]

*sigh*
I love pens, i've got all kinds,
granted they aren't the handmade or super expensive ones but it's just something I like to buy. Some women buy shoes.... I buy pens. I go in a store and if they have an isle with pens, i'm going to look and chances are i might come out with a package. I only buy the ones that don't have caps to lose and only the fat ones. The sad thing is my kids always run away with them so then i just need to buy more.

Do you prefer the ballpoint ink or gel type? Maybe I can make you one and you can be advertisement for me!

 

[pal]

I've been turning pens for about 4 years now. It is a very fun and profitable hobby. I'm sure there is a market here for your pens. I've thought about selling a few myself, but I stay busy enough with my sales on other forums, etc.
I don't know anyone who uses a Fountain pen on a regular basis that would be happy with a kit nib. Throw those kit nibs away and get some of the 14k nibs that will fit your kits. There are a few online vendors that sell them, but prices start about $50ea, so you need to know your market.

Rattlesnake Baron FP

I would love to own one of your custom made pens. I have many fountain pens, but I don't own any custom made pens. Are you a member a FPN? If so, do you sell your pens there?

 

[DS/B MCS]

I would love to own one of your custom made pens. I have many fountain pens, but I don't own any custom made pens. Are you a member a FPN? If so, do you sell your pens there?

No, I'm not a member of FPN. I have a few different forums where I'll post some pens for sale. I also have about 1/2 dozen local stores that display my pens. I'd be more than happy to make you some style of Fountain pen. Here's a link to some thoughts from a gentleman that has a few of my Cigar style pens
http://mail.myptsmail.com/mercop/blog/?p=309

 

[Oden_Flagship]

I was thinking about getting into turning pens as well. The wife and i make soap, and while that's fun and all...I'd like a hobby with a little more testosterone in it. I have a pretty nice fountain pen and honestly what I like about it is the looks, the questions people ask, and just feeling like a classy dude when I whip it out.

 

[glycerine]

I was thinking about getting into turning pens as well. The wife and i make soap, and while that's fun and all...I'd like a hobby with a little more testosterone in it. I have a pretty nice fountain pen and honestly what I like about it is the looks, the questions people ask, and just feeling like a classy dude when I whip it out.

I've thoroughly enjoyed it. Do you have a lathe?

 

[glycerine]

I would love to own one of your custom made pens. I have many fountain pens, but I don't own any custom made pens. Are you a member a FPN? If so, do you sell your pens there?

Man, I'm the one trying to sell pens and this guy is getting all the offers!

 

[pal]

Man, I'm the one trying to sell pens and this guy is getting all the offers!

Sorry, I have known Mike for some time from the "Watch You Wearing" thread. I was surprised that he made custom pens. But the good news is that I think there would be an interest here on B&B for your pens as well.

 

[DS/B MCS]

Man, I'm the one trying to sell pens and this guy is getting all the offers!

Sorry about that

Post some up for sale in the B/S/T and I'd guess they won't stay around for long. Good Luck

 

[DS/B MCS]

Sorry, I have known Mike for some time from the "Watch You Wearing" thread. I was surprised that he made custom pens. But the good news is that I think there would be an interest here on B&B for your pens as well.

Pen sales fund my Watch, Custom Knife, Gun and Flashlight collections