Steel Pen From A Young Pen Maker

[Ron Z]

We have a young man in our church, a high school Jr. who just for the heck of it went out into his dad's shop over Christmas break and decided to make a pen on their lathe. This is Jimmy's first attempt at a pen, but I was quite impressed at how he worked out the machine operations, intuitively made some good design choices, and ended up with a rather nice looking pen. He made it to use a Pilot G2 refill, which in itself was a good choice. The pocket clip is a modified knife clip. The finish was done in a rock tumbler. He tried bluing the pen with heat, but had a difficult time getting the color even and deep enough into the material. The pen is carbon steel. Threads in this case were cut with tap and die.

He'd like some feedback and suggestions, which I know he will listen to. I think that with some minor changes he may have a marketable product, but my strength is in repair, not pens like this. I'd like to encourage him to continue with these and similar projectes, and refine both the design and the process. I think that anyone who could work out all of this on his own has real potential.

We've already discussed cleaning up things like the threads, maybe using a finer thread, a better fit between clip and barrel. But I'm sure you all can come up with more suggestions.

If you wish to post your comments and suggestions here, that's fine. If you'd like to send comments to me back channel I will pass both on to him. Pictures below.

http://www.mainstreetpens.com/pix/McPens/P1-1.jpg

http://www.mainstreetpens.com/pix/McPens/P1-2.jpg

http://www.mainstreetpens.com/pix/McPens/P1-3.jpg

http://www.mainstreetpens.com/pix/McPens/P1-barrel_threads.jpg


http://www.mainstreetpens.com/pix/McPens/P1-grip.jpg

http://www.mainstreetpens.com/pix/McPens/P1-top.jpg

[Astronymus]

Pretty nice work.

But this pen may need a lot of maintenance. Carbon steel. Looks sturdy though.

[Ron Z]

This is one of the few cases where I encourage the use of Rennaissance Wax.

[PaganArcher]

I think it looks like an amazing pen. Even without a clip it would be a solid pen for those of us who enjoy the outdoors and carbon steel.

 

By chance, would you happen to know what type of steel it's made from? Some carbon steels resist rusting better than others. A hot vinegar bath will force a patina that can limit rusting as well.

[WolvertonMountain]

He made it to use a Pilot G2 refill, which in itself was a good choice.

 

 

ESPECIALLY if one uses the G2 Burgundy Red refill.

 

Clifton

[amberleadavis]

I love it!

 

Is he wanting to do this for a living?

[amberleadavis]

And can he do it in copper?

[Jeffrey Garrett]

Hi Ron,

 

Great work from an aspiring pens crafter!

 

PM sent.

 

Regards,

 

Jeff

[EBGBs]

First I like the overall design of the pen; I love the shape and the clip design. The 3 tier look works surprisingly well.

Impressive indeed for a first try.

 

Other than what you have already mentioned (trying to get finer threads and better integration of the clip to the round barrel), I would propose;

- Looking at the material’s properties. I know nothing about carbon steel, but metal can be tricky (rust, patina, feel or even smell are things to consider. Also if further considered for a FP design; how will it react (chemically) to contact with ink.)

- The grip section looks a little odd to me. The overall shape of the pen is simple and a little rough (in a good way - again; I love it), but the grip section is almost too rounded, curvy and refined for it. I’d probably go for a more straight design.

 

Congrats and good luck to this young penmaker-to-be

[SoulSamurai]

Impressive work, I like the clip.

[Ron Z]

Thanks for the comments - any and all input is appreciated!

 

Jimmy is very good with mechanical things, not surprising since his dad is as well. I don't think he would make pens for a living, but he has thought about making some as a side line. I can ask about copper. That would be an interesting project in itself because copper machines differently than steel - and is a heck of a lot more expensive. He's looked at the price of Damascus steel, and concluded that it is a bit of his price range for now - plus questions about whether the material would flake or chip while being machined.

[Inspector]

Great first kick at the cat. The IAP (International Pen Turners) have a number of tutorials on making kitless/custom pens. Of the ones in metal Aluminium is most used followed by Stainless Steel, Brass, Copper, and the odd ones in Titanium, Damascus and Mokum Gagne. There is also a Facebook group, Custom pen makers or something similar. There isn't anything wrong with the steel used except for weight and rust prevention. Damascus doesn't flake or peel but it is a little harder on tools because of the hard/soft nature of the material He should keep this pen for the future so he can look back on it and see how far he progresses.

[amberleadavis]

Ron, the reason that I mentioned copper is because as a Nevadan, I love copper .... and Copper is funny thing, you can find scrap copper out here. We bought a lot when the extras (cable, turbines, pipe you name it) that were built for the dam back in the 1930s were finally sold off as scrap.

 

http://waterandpower.org/5%20Historic%20Photos%205/Boulder_Dam_Transmission_Cable.jpg

[Scriptorium Pens]

Very impressed. I love the overall look and shape of the design. I also like the rustic texture. Great work!

[keo]

Very impressed. I love the overall look and shape of the design. I also like the rustic texture. Great work!

 

Explain to young Jimmy just who it is that said this, then suggest he print it out and hang it in his workshop! This is like Eric Clapton saying you're a good guitar player, or Robin Williams saying you're funny.