The Woodshed Pen Co - Fountain Pen

[M A Porter]

The Woodshed Pen Co - Fountain Pen Review

 

Having used fountain regularly for most of my life, I ought to know a thing or two I guess. It's become a serious obsession over the last ten years, since I started losing my mobility and ending up in a wheelchair. During this time I've refined my tastes in pens, inks and discovered I spend more time online researching fountain pens than perhaps maybe considered normal. But every now and then I come across that ticks all the right boxes, like this for example:

 

Mr Mike Allen of The Woodshed Pen Co, manufactures unique acrylic fountain pens. Each lovingly made by hand, one at a time. The Woodshed Pen Co are based out of Charleston SC, USA and ship worldwide. But the pens Mr Allen creates and markets via Kickstarter are in my eyes, sublime!

 

The Pen arrived within a week from the USA, which in itself I thought was quite impressive. The pen came well packed, in a very nicely made handmade knitted pen sleeve (a nice touch). From the very moment my eyes glazed down at the pen, the only word I was able to utter was Wow!

 

The pen has an exquisite, shimmering and sleek look to it. I find both the shape and finish extremely pleasing, that's perhaps an understatement because the sheer quality of finish is superb! The first things I should mention is the pen is designed to be used unposted and cap doesn't feature a clip. Personally neither of these are a deal breakers to me. To place a clip onto a pen of this quality in my opinion would be a crime and ruin it's good looks ;-)

 

Dimensions:

Capped: 135mm (with a slight taper towards each end).

Uncapped: 128mm.

Barrel width: 15mm (where the cap and barrel meet).

Grip section: 12mm (where the fingertips would fall).

Please Note: I believe these are average pen dimensions. As each are made by hand to order, it's acceptable to expect some variation from pen to pen.

 

The pen uses cartridge/converter system and can converted with ease into a huge capacity eyedropper. It comes supplied with a quality Schmidt converter. The nib is the very dependable Jowo #6, the very same as used by the likes of Edison, TWSBI and many others. I was sent a fine nib, which is my personal nib of choice (also the same nib as fitted to my Edison Herald and TWSBI 580RB). The Woodshed Pen Co currently offer the Pen with EF, F, M, B, 1.1 or 1.5mm nibs, either polished steel or black oxide finish and finally also with an 18k gold option.

 

 

I've filled the pen using the supplied converter with Pelikan Edelstein Aquamarine (my current inky obsession) and as expected the pen performed flawlessly, no hesitation or skipping. So far It has started the first time, every time. It appears to be very consistent and predictable laying down the perfect amount of ink straight from the start, not too dry not too wet, but just right for my taste. The pen suits my average sized hands perfectly, it's both light to use and well balanced. I found the grip section to be perfectly sized and despite having some unresolved Carpal Tunnel Issues, the pen is one of the most comfortable I've used in a long time; (I'm not sure I should mention that the cap smells fabulous if your wondering what to do with it LOL).

 

In conclusion: I love the pen, the finish on the barrel is wonderful, the whole pen shimmers like a piece abalone shell. I see something new every time I pick the pen up; it really is wonderful work. But most of all, I loved the way it worked flawlessly from the first moment I inked it up. So if you not put off By the cap issues, looking for something a little different to add to the collection - Why not take a visit to Woodshed Pen's Kickstarter or Facebook page and take a look at Woodshed Pen Co's unique hand made offerings. You wont be disappointed.

 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2031465346/cracked-ice-fountain-pens

 

https://www.facebook.com/woodshedpenco/

 

Or via email at: woodshedpens@gmail.com

 

The pen was kindly supplied free of charge for review purposes by The WoodShed Pen Co, to whom I have no affiliation or connection - Other than perhaps becoming a future customer (yes I liked it that much)!

Edited June 26, 2017 by mports

[visvamitra]

Looks well Thank you for reviewing it.

[hbdk]

Wow that is a real beauty! Want, want

Thanks for sharing

[cleosmama]

That's gorgeous.

 

I also have a pen from Mr. Allen--mine is a blue and purple pen which you can see here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BWYKow9BpHZ/?taken-by=deniserogers8668&hl=en

 

I love mine. It came in a knitted pen sleeve (he told me that his partner knits these). Mine was purple, so it was a nice match!

 

I recommend ordering a pen from him, too.

[jmeldorf]

I just saw a review of his “Demonstrator” creations and I’d love to buy one. Does anyone know how to contact Mr Allen by email? Not by FB. Thx