Opinions On Acrylic Fps? Pics Included

[mattyts]

Hi guys,i've been making a few acrylic pens lately,some great designs are coming out of the acrylic blanks.

 

May I have your opinions on them (Nibs are medium/fine)

 

Would you purchase one of these pens? and if not,why?

 

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae338/mattyts/Turning/P1000406_zps2c0c5e90.jpg

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae338/mattyts/Turning/P1000407_zpsee19bf0c.jpg

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae338/mattyts/Turning/P1000404_zpsc799851b.jpg

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae338/mattyts/Turning/P1000311_zpsaf37237c.jpg

Edited February 10, 2014 by richardandtracy
Prices removed, this is not an advertising forum.

[sharonspens]

Good day,

 

I would look at your pens, and probably admire them. The quality of your work, at least in the photos, appears top-notch. However, I would not buy one because I do not care for the "step-down" design of the section to the barrel. I personally find that style uncomfortable to use. I learned my lesson on that long ago - don't buy a pen you won't use.

 

Best of luck to you,

 

Sharon in Indiana

[Randal6393]

Beautiful pens. Would purchase if the nibs were either flex or broad/italic.

 

Enjoy,

[Brian C]

I would not purchase due to the section.

[Inkling13]

I wouldn't purchase these just for the fact that they are kit pens. I've turned some, and I feel that there is a lack of artistic input. Blanks have to be so long as dictated by the kit, and even the diameter is determined by the bushings required by the kit. I would be much more interested in buying a kitless, because of the amount of thought needed to make sure everything fits. Kit pens are pretty easy to bang out, and for most people, would fit the bill, but I look for something more.

[Abner C. Kemp]

The material looks amazing and I would definitely purchase one if the section was made out of the same material. The step down section looks very narrow and quite long. I'm also not a big fan of the black threads since they don't match anything else on the pen. If you ever make a one piece pen out of this material I would buy one though.

[scrivelry]

I don't like metal sections, which you are stuck with with this kit. However, your turning looks very nice. I am a relative newcomer to Fountain Pens, so perhaps what i have to say does not express the general opinion, but I would be more interested in your pens if they had sections of another material - either ones you turned, or perhaps ones you purchased.

 

I am looking around carefully to see if anyone is aiming a crossbow at me, because I really do not know if that is ever "done."

 

I think in general what I am seeing here is that people feel you are ready to step up a notch and make your own original pens. This may or may not surprise you, but I think whether you care to take that step or not, it is a compliment to your work, so enjoy that!

 

T

[DC Kate]

I think the acrylic is lovely--just beautiful! The style of the barrel end does not do the acrylic justice, I don't think. I'd have to try one out to see how it felt in-hand, but if that went OK I think it is a reasonable price for such pretty acrylic, and I would purchase.

 

That said, I'd love to see something "high-end" with that acrylic (sterling, maybe?), and a different style for the end of the barrel and the step down to the nib.

[hbdk]

Nice work, cool looking. Would surely be tempted at that price - would you post to other EU countries as well?

[Ladynib302]

Nice looking acrylic; Must share, however, that I don't buy any pens with metal sections---and especially very narrow sections----because this shape makes my hand cramp if writing anything but a short note; plus, my fingers slip on this material and shape and i have to keep adjusting the pen in my hand; having to keep focused on the pen in my hand interrupts my thought about what I am trying to write; thus, I usually look for black acrylic sections of greater diameter and shorter length (or those matching the rest of the pen with same measurements). Your workmanship seems nice and would encourage you to experiment a bit; I think it is nice that you are soliciting input from the pen community re what folks find desirable. Good luck.

[mattyts]

Thanks for the feedback guys,unfortunately I do not have the tooling to go 'kitless' as I am predominantly a wood turner and as such,only have limited tools and they are not advanced enough to be able to cut threads or do controlled turning.

 

But I can use other style kits or materials (large choice of cast resins,acrylics and wood (including burrs,etc ) )

[Moshe ben David]

In general the two specimens look interesting; I liked the material used on the rollerball better. Unlike some I'm not bothered by the metal section for the nib. However, I find the threaded section at the other end of the barrel jarring. Its a nice thought to provide a secure method of posting; but the appearance when the pen is closed is not attractive to me. I also suspect some would find the double action of unscrewing the cap to open the pen followed by screwing it onto the end of the barrel for posting to be too bothersome.

[dickydotcom]

There was a time I would. I did buy a kit pen many years ago and at the time it was my favourite. However the plating hasn't lasted as well as I would have expected. I have since made and sold kit pens but no longer do that as I found myself getting bored making them. The buyers were usually not fountain pen collectors and the pens were mostly bought for presents. The price I could sell them for meant I was working for near minimum wage.

I would say make them because you enjoy it. Sell them to fund your hobby. But don't expect to get rich.

Oh, nice pens by the way.

Dick D

[Inkling13]

Thanks for the feedback guys,unfortunately I do not have the tooling to go 'kitless' as I am predominantly a wood turner and as such,only have limited tools and they are not advanced enough to be able to cut threads or do controlled turning.

 

But I can use other style kits or materials (large choice of cast resins,acrylics and wood (including burrs,etc ) )

To go from kit to kitless only requires about 200-300 usd for the proper tap/die holders and tap/die holders themselves which would allow you to make kitless pens. It does take some more gear, but it's worth it in the end I think.

[kingcobradude]

I love the red one. I would buy one but I Dont really like the narrow sections, as well as the fact I am looking to make pens myself.

[mattyts]

To go from kit to kitless only requires about 200-300 usd for the proper tap/die holders and tap/die holders themselves which would allow you to make kitless pens. It does take some more gear, but it's worth it in the end I think.

 

Turning is still only a hobby, 300 USD is a big lump for a teenager towards his hobby so unfortunately won't be buying the tooling any time soon.

[Inkling13]

 

Turning is still only a hobby, 300 USD is a big lump for a teenager towards his hobby so unfortunately won't be buying the tooling any time soon.

You will get there, eventually. Just when you get to college and find yourself with a bit more time and a side job, bypass that fancy gaming/booze etc for a little bit, and start cranking out pens. I'm sure that there will be more than enough hipsters interested in a 100% made by hand FP from somewhere hyper local.

[kingcobradude]

do you currently have any threading taps and dies avalible to use? I was going to try it only using tools I already have and see how well thatt works