My Edison Pearl being born ... a preview

[tanalasta]

My Edison Pearl is being born and made right now!

 

I wasn't sure whether to post in the review section but since I haven't received the pen, this is just a preliminary preview.

 

Every step of the way, Brian Gray has been helpful, communicating via email as to exactly what I wanted and occasionally on the webcam chat as well (moderated by Penguinmaster).

 

I settled on the green mottled celluloid from AAP pictured here. This is Brian's first pen in the green mottled celluloid.

 

 

It was a close decision between the Morgan and the Pearl but in the end, I preferred the look of the Pearl as a bulb filler with the transparent barrel ink window.

 

Here are some screenshots taken of the parts made so far. If you're online, the barrel is being made right now. More to come...!

 

However: The section... unpolished and polished.

 

And photos of the Cap being made, drilled, polished and the finished cap.

 

 

*edit: screenshots and photos used with permission*

Edited April 15, 2010 by tanalasta

[isaacrn]

thats actually a lovely pen color. I think its going to turn out a o k

[majorworks]

Been watching him shape and polish up the barrel... a fascinating process. Looks like it's going to be a beauty! Congratulations!

[tanalasta]

Here are the rest of the photos..

 

The whole pen making process took at least two hours, with the ink window and bulb filler taking a significant amount of time (and still has to be polished on the inside). He had to measure, cut and then drill and fit each piece together.

 

I'm not a pen maker but I saw Brian carefully turn, drill and shape the pen with a file. Put the pieces together and then polished it by hand to the final result.

 

Enjoy the photos! The pen is probably at least two weeks away via USPS express once he's done the engraving and the nib grind... so some time till the review.

 

The Lathe and the Barrel

 

The Ink Window:

 

Finishing the pen: Filing the shape, sanding and polishing by hand.

Edited April 15, 2010 by tanalasta

[richardandtracy]

Two hours! TWO HOURS!!!

Oh my. I wish my efforts were of that order. That's 2/3 the time I take on a kit pen.

Just shows how far I still have to progress.

My current effort on a scratch built home-made pen is 36 hours and counting... And clip effort #3 needs to be started soon after pathetic clip #2.

 

Your new pen looks absolutely gorgeous, and I'm sure it'll be a winner.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

 

 

 

[Ed Ronax]

Your new pen looks great. I hope you'll post a review when you receive it, as far as I for one am concerned the more I see and read about Edison the better.

[karmakoda]

Superb and fascinating post, not to mention a gorgeous pen.

Did not know viewers can watch an Edison pen being made. Thank You.

It is inspiring to see an artisan of this skill level generously share the creative process.

[wheezur]

This is very cool stuff, thanks for posting. I trust that you will wind up with an outrageously beautiful and special pen and I look forward to a nice review in a couple of weeks.

[ehebert]

This was great to see! My current "collection" of pens is made up of cheap, but fun to use writers. The more I read about Brian's work, the more interested I become in making a serious investment in a high-quality, hand made pen. Congratulations!

[brad7k]

The pen looks great. Which nib did you decide to go with, and how are you having Brian prepare the nib?

[tanalasta]

Hi, thank you everyone for their kind replies.

 

brad7k: I went with a 18k, duo-tone nib in 0.5mm cursive italic. Smooth but with some tactile feedback.

 

I do have some pictures of the finished pen from Bryant but am going to use them for the main review

[casaross]

Congratulations on your new pen. It is beautiful. Brian made an orange ebonite extended Pearl for me in February and he was wonderful to work with - so much so that I bought into the Urushi Pearl project.