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Custom 51S In Damascus Stainless Steel

RalphP

By RalphP
in Fountain & Dip Pens - First Stop

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RalphP Rare

RalphP

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I thought some might like to see our new evolving prototype.

 

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll110/pratherpens/Damascus-51-7.jpg

 

 

There seems to be a significant attraction to Damascus steel by many pen, watch, and knife collectors. About a year ago a collector contacted us and asked if we could make a Custom 51 double jewel vacumatic from Damascus steel - my answer was… “…maybe, don’t know”.

 

The search began for some for suitable Damascus steel. The criteria included material that could be machined (the interior contours are a bit tricky), had an attractive pattern, and was resistant to corrosion.

 

A non-magnetic, corrosion resistant stainless steel was found in an austenitic Stainless Damascus Steel that could be machined. The material was in a bluetoungue pattern which matched all the criteria. A couple of prototypes were soon started.

 

 

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll110/pratherpens/Damascus-51-4.jpg

 

 

The pattern forging of Damascene steels consist of two different steel grades which are welded in numerous layers. After acid etching, one of the steel grades turns dark and beautiful unique patterns appear on the surface.

 

 

The nature of a Custom “51” vacumatic presents more unique challenges than a more typical fountain pen. The vacumatic diaphragm requires a seat upon which to be compressed on the interior of the barrel and the shell or hood has additional interior contours. Not only must the front of the pen be submerged for filling but the barrel must also serve as an ink reservoir without the protection of a rubber sac.

 

The cut-away in the picture below shows most of the interior contours and “twists & turns…”.

 

 

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll110/pratherpens/51-anatomy.jpg

 

The filler unit for this pen has a large Australian Opal shadowboxed at the end of the ink pump rod.

 

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll110/pratherpens/Damascus-51-1.jpg

 

 

The protypes are subject to many changes yet… trim, caps, clips, filler units may all be adjusted for the best look --- what ever that is…

 

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll110/pratherpens/Damascus-51-8.jpg

 

Thanks for looking - comments appreciated - ralph prather

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WOBentley Collectors Item

WOBentley

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:puddle: :puddle: :puddle: :puddle: :puddle:

If you are looking to dispose of extra prototypes I am available :D

This post contains 100% recycled electrons

http://i952.photobucket.com/albums/ae8/Catriker/Pen%20Pics/SmallCzarNikolai.jpg

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hazcat Mint

hazcat

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What stunning work! Damascus has got to be difficult to machine for a project like this. It's not exactly like a knife one beats into shape. Wow.

Don't you wish we could use our pens to write on the Fountain Pen Network Fora?

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RalphP Rare

RalphP

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Any thoughts to also make the cap out of Damacus Steel? What does the pen weigh?

 

 

It's a good thought... personally have always been partial to the contrast a cap can provide... but maybe that's just me.

 

The pen is a bit on the hefty side as far as weight is concerned - have to get the exact weight and compare it with other types of 51s... but in the hand it feels really good because the etched areas contrast with the smooth - very tactile I guess you could say...

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FarmBoy Museum Piece

FarmBoy

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Ralph,

 

Impressive.

 

I can only offer one comment on the cap. Have you considered reproducing the clips and replacing 'PARKER' with 'PRATHER'?

 

Todd

San Francisco International Pen Show - The next “Funnest Pen Show” is on schedule for August 23-24-25, 2024.  Watch the show website for registration details. 
 

My PM box is usually full. Just email me: my last name at the google mail address.

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mongrelnomad Collectors Item

mongrelnomad

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That pen is absolutely gorgeous!!!

 

Can't wait to see the finished product (and hear the finished price!)

Too many pens; too little writing.

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mcg1355 Mint

mcg1355

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That is truly amazing :notworthy1:.

 

So, ballpark, what would something like this set me back? I may need to start saving my pennies...

 

-Nick

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subbes Extremely Rare

subbes

Posted
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Oooooooooh, that is very pretty. Personally I'm not a fan of gold with steel - I'd prefer titanium or rhodium trim - but I'm just nitpicking at this point. Definitely wouldn't kick that pen out of my folio for eating ink in bed.

 

 

(OR SOME EQUIVALENT EUPHEMISM.)

"Perdita thought, to take an example at random, that things like table manners were a stupid and repressive idea. Agnes, on the other hand, was against being hit by flying bits of other people's cabbage." (Pratchett, T. Carpe Jugulum.)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1813132/pride.png

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RalphP Rare

RalphP

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That is truly amazing :notworthy1:.

 

So, ballpark, what would something like this set me back? I may need to start saving my pennies...

 

-Nick

 

Thanks!

 

Don't know about price - pen still needs a good bit of testing...

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watch_art Museum Piece

watch_art

Posted
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That's very cool - but I'm more caught up on the inner shape of the barrel. How on earth did Parker (and you) get that shape in the barrel? Some sort of expanding drill bits?

fpn_1432247667__cropped-20150427_0641231 http://www.penturners.org/forum/signaturepics/sigpic14481_1.gif http://mob984.photobucket.com/albums/ae327/VintagePen/vanness.jpg?t=1321916122

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htom Mint

htom

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Very nice. I could be convinced to help test them. I could also see liking a version that had only the internal jewel and a Damascus cap (perhaps a clipless cap.)

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