Diy Steampunkpen

[Ben Looijesteijn]

Hi FPN members,

I love reading about pens and I enjoy all your stories very much. I have seen some extremely beautiful pens on this forum. It makes me happy, but sometimes envious as well. I’m not in the position to buy the exclusive theme-pens as produced by Pelikan or Montblanc and I probably never will. Though I have stumbled upon some exclusive makes and models during the many years I work on these appreciated writing instruments, my collection mostly contains the lesser expensive pens. But these are worth mentioning ass well…

Beauty lays in the eyes of the beholder, the saying goes. So the next part of this post is open for discussion. Because I’d like to share with you pictures and experiences of my daily user. I can’t tell you the brand, neither the model. It comprises of several parts from different makes.

The barrel and cap are made out of solid silver. And that’s what started it all. The original clip had broken off and it is full of dents and scratches. But it was to valuable to me to put it aside. I wanted to make this a working pen again. One in which function comes first and form is secondary.

I managed to fit in a grinded down Parker Duofold. These intestines were once used with a Kosca overlay pen. The feed comes form an old Vendex (a Dutch brand pen) and the nib I stole from a German Kreuzer. A cheap gold plated steel nib, but one that writes as smooth as butter. (I hope it’s allowed to translate the Dutch expression ‘zacht als boter’ directly into English. Sorry for this.)

The clip is the weirdest I could find and originally comes from a thirties Zodiac pen. It doesn’t fit the hexagonal shape of the silver barrel, but it stays in place at the stump of the originally welded on clip and that’s what matters. More even: it is very functional. Most pockets inside my jackets are ruined by forcing fountain down pen clips over the rim. That problem is now solver forever. This pen I can clip onto any part of my clothing. The grip is very firm and I can even clip it inside my sweater sleeve and thus carry it with me during the day. But mosty I just stick the pen inside my pocket. Together with my cellphone, lighter, keys or wallet. This leaves clear markings on all the instruments I just mentioned, including the pen of course, but I don’t care. It has no negative effect on the writing capabilities of the pen.

So: function over form. Function is also found in the shape of the pen. Because it isn’t round, it never rolls of the table. I know there are more non-round pens. I own a Omas 360 with comparable effect, but that pen is very sensitive to scratching. So here it is just a theoretical plus, one I will never use in practice. When I put the Omas down, it is on a piece of cloth, or inside it’s original box. My rat-look pen doesn’t mind scratches. They just add to its beauty…

Finally I (intentionally) broke off the threads from the blind cap covering the push button. It was just to neat and straight. I grinded it down under a light angle. Now when I screw it back on, it gives a sort of banana-look to the outer shape and brings it visually in balance with the curve of the clip. Just the way I like it!

And there you have it: a pure steampunk or rat-look pen. I wonder if there are more members fiddling about with their pens this way. If so: please share!

Thank you and warm greetings,
Ben

 

[usk15]

I like it! Well done!

[wastelanded]

I think it's beautiful! Great job creating it.

[FrozenLand]

I was considering such project, but cannot find enough time for it.

Great job!

[flummoxed]

Love the idea and the detailing on the body, reminds me of the earlier forms of R2D2 and the light sabres for some reason though!

[fly_us]

I love the pen, really love it.

 

Even with the limited edition from big manufacturer, you know there will be someone else have it. This one is unique.

 

By the way, what is the filling system for it? c/c or eyedropper?

[Ben Looijesteijn]

I love the pen, really love it.

 

Even with the limited edition from big manufacturer, you know there will be someone else have it. This one is unique.

 

By the way, what is the filling system for it? c/c or eyedropper?

Thanks. That's exactly why I like it. It is a button filler. That part is Parker.

[fly_us]

Thanks. That's exactly why I like it. It is a button filler. That part is Parker.

Oh, that's make the pen 2 times cooler

[Mister5]

Love it!!! Beautiful work.

[mallymal1]

So cool. 'Tis a pen of great charm, and beauty.

 

Brilliant work, Ben.