Hi, Old Griz here... also known as Tom Mullane..... just look more like an Old Griz...
I am from Western Maryland (Hagerstown, Washington County)... where there are more cows than people....
I started with a fountain pen in grade school in NY (many many years ago) and finally got back into using one when I started to make my own pens...
I wish I had the cash to seriously collect fine pens, but until then, I try to make beautiful writing instruments out of the finest woods and alternative materials I can find...
I have posted a couple of pics of some of my work in the pictures area... I would like to thank everyone for the kind words about my work...

I do have one question. I have found on some sites that there is a distinct attitude toward those of us who produce pens from bought hardware. It does not seem to matter how beautiful the pen is or how nicely it writes... but I have found that a lot of pen enthusiasts seem to think pens like I produce can't be as good as factory made.... Fortunately, I do not see that here...
I was just wondering why that is....
I can offer solid gold nibs if desired and the standard nibs write smooth as any factory pen I have tried...

Don't know why that attitude would present, Tom. Only thing I can think of is that the collectors might think that hand made/turned pens by an individual would not have the same degree of collectability. Even if that has any truth to it, that thinking can get booted right out of the ball park, if by dint of hard work and excellence of product an individual becomes popular, then his work becomes enormously collectable and valuable.

I wouldn't give it a second thought. Do what you enjoy and let the devil take the hinermost!

hello tom,

i work in frederick, just the next county over. lots of cows there too, although that's quickly changing. welcome.

For me, as long as the nibs/feed assemblies are good, and their basic structure is sound, I can do whatever I need in terms of tweaking. I know nothing about where nib kits are sourced, but I would assume they are sourced from nib manufacturers, and most factory nibs are sourced out. If you could validate that, then I would think most people would be fine with it.

Asian nibs... hmmm more variability there so would be less well received.

Welcome from southern Maryland... St. Mary's County. You do beautiful work!!

Bill

Hi Tom,

As Kendall pointed out, the irridium steel nibs that come with the kits are very likely from the same source(s) than most found on brand name FPs. Some people do not like steel nibs though, and that may turn them off. Same thing with your gold nibs. There are not that many manufacturers, and chances are, you are getting the same nibs than some upscale brands.

After that, there is the power of brand recognition, and a part of the FP population might simply be sensitive to that aspect. Just engrave the following on your pens :

Tom Mullane
Paris, New York, London, Hagerstown
(mainly Hagerstown)

Then, multiply the price by two, and you'll get a fringe of customers you don't have yet.

For the rest of us, just keep the prices where they are !

MMMM, let's see... with all honesty I can use New York, San Diego, Hagerstown... and if I really want to go back in time Saigon.... but I don't think that one would work...

I posted a macro photo of the standard nibs on my pens and they are marked Germany... and I agree they might even be coming from the same place my gold ones are....

Life may be too short to write with an ugly pen ..... but it is also too short to spend a fortune on one either....

It might be more of to the point that a kit pen is sometimes tainted with the weekend hobbyist feeling. For many of the kits sold are of a generic nib and somewhat OK fittings. The pen shape is often the usual cigar shape and often made of wood. Also unless there is a name associated with it usually the kit pen has little resale value compared to a established pen manufacturer.


But again there is the spawn of Tighe and Oscarson as well as all of the europen small makers that put this idea on it's head.


Not disparaging you in any way just trying to help with the understanding of the attitude.


Kurt H

Don't know about the 'tude. Glad you found us and I think most of us here will try to be fair and judge a pen based on it's qualities - looks, design, fit & finish, filling system, and of course the nib. A good pen is a good pen - period! Anyhow, looking forward to seeing some of your work. Welcome aboard!

Hi Tom and welcome to FPN!

I saw some pics of your work---bravo! It must be challenging to come up with new and unusual designs for the writing instrument market, so I applaud your efforts.
The only trouble I have with some kit pens (and some brand name ones too) is the narrowness of the section (gripping portion). I find it less comfortable to hold than a pen with a section that is thicker...but that's just me

Hello Tom and welcome aboard the FPN! I have to admit that your Jr. Gentleman in white looks very eye-catching to say the least. What kind of material is it made from?

That pen was made from Axis Deer Antler.... axis deer has virtually no pith like Whitetail or Mule Deer, but it is not always pure white.... a lot of it has some light gray shading in the enamel... this one was pure white.....

Hello Collegue Old Griz
Your products are absolutely outstanding. I wish I could work with these extraordinary fine woods. Be welcome.
Thomas

For me, who I hope lacks attitude, the reason that I am not interested in kit pens is that many of them have metal sections. For long term durability (corrosion) as well for tactile pleasure, I don't generally have interest in pens with metal sections. But, if you know of kits that have wooden, resin or horn sections (all the way up to the nibs) I would indeed be interested. But I do admire the craftsmanship that these pens evidence. Glad to see you here.

Well put, nmb. My situation exactly! So, there you go, Tom. Can a turner like yourself produce a section that is either the same material as the barrel or a plastic that would harmonize with the barrel but allow folk like nmb and me (and tons of others, I might add) to use them? Would that require that you leave the realm of kits?