Review: The "inkstand'

[Koyote]

On another forum, I came across Leslie Roscoe, who makes "Inkstands": made of wood and felt, these hold pens and inks on a desk. Leslie makes numerous configurations designed to hold various numbers of pens and various brands' ink bottles; he also makes them "bespoke," to buyers' specifications.

 

After exchanging many emails, the very patient and gracious Leslie bought some quarter-sawn oak and built an Inkstand to my specifications: two pens and a bottle of Diamine ink. Though this was bespoke, the pricing was standard. At every step in the process, Leslie was very careful to consult me about details (e.g., darker vs. lighter finish), and even sent photos of the completed product to ensure that it looked alright.

 

After sending payment via Paypal, only eight days later a well-wrapped package from England arrived at my home in the US. The customs form demonstrated that Leslie is a pen nut:

 

 

Inside the package, I found a handwritten note with the same beautiful handwriting, and also this:

 

 

The felt is the same type used on billiard tables -- nice and heavy:

 

 

Every day, when I arrive at work, I pick my pens for the day and place them on the Inkstand. For assessing the size, here it is with a couple well-known pens, a Lamy Safari and an Aurora Optima:

 

 

This is a nice way to keep things organized, and it looks great. I won't quote Leslie's prices, since he offers so many varieties of Inkstands -- he will build them to hold multiple ink bottles, many more pens, etc. I will state that the cost of my Inkstand, including shipping, was about the same as a couple bottles of Iroshizuku ink or a couple Lamy Safari pens. A bargain, in my estimation.

 

I have no affiliation with Leslie, of course. Just a very happy customer!

 

Leslie can be reached at Inkstands@talktalk.net

Edited February 15, 2014 by Koyote

[kiavonne]

Very nice, and practical. I like the simplicity, yet can still have a custom spot for the ink bottle, too.

 

Thank you for sharing!

[J.R.]

Congratulations on that piece of desk furniture ! I, too, find it very practical, classic and a quality-made "antique-in-the-making".

 

My dear old Pop was a cabinet-maker, and could have put this together for me in a day, if I had had the sense to just ask - oh, how I miss that old grumpy old codger !

 

'Nuff said, I've got to re-arrange my desk, to make room for one of these.

 

Thanks for showing it !

 

J.R.

[Touchstone68]

I would second your comments and recommend Leslie's work.

 

I ordered a three grooved stand with a single Diamine bottle at the end of last year and was so pleased I've currently got two other inkstands on order from him but to slightly different specifications.

 

Kind regards,

 

Tim