This is a question I get from a lot of people who know me outside of the pen community. “You make what?!?!?” is a common one as well. I have always had an urge to make something, to create something either artistic or useful. It seems that I have found a way to do both. Many of you know that I began my journey to becoming a maker at the Atlanta Pen Show when I discovered the world of handcrafted pens. I met my pen making Yoda that day. From that day until now, thoughts of making pens and how I can progress as a maker find their way into my head on a constant basis. Why pens? But more importantly, why fountain pens specifically?
I have insisted on using a quality pen since I was a teenager. I always looked through the aisles at the stores until I found just the right pen. I was never satisfied with the way a $.25 pen wrote, felt in the hand, or how they lacked durability. It wasn’t until quite a few years later, in my 40’s, that I would decide that I was “adult enough” and responsible enough to purchase a fountain pen and learn how they worked and wrote.
I have been thinking about this for a few days and I have come up with the following answers to this question.
1. I am a fan of the Analog world. and yes I realize the ironic nature of writing a blog on a Mac about something analog. Several analog options have seen a resurgence in popularity over the last few years. Many people have begun shaving more like their grandfathers did. A shaving bowl, badger brush and a single blade safety razor. I too jumped on this bandwagon (when I used to shave that is). I found that I got the best shave I’d ever had, and razor burn was a thing of the past (pun not intended).
There has also been a revival of folks breaking out turntables and vinyl albums (yes I said album, not record). I grew up listening to my dad’s albums, from Three Dog Night, to Peter Frampton and James Taylor. I have been a lover of music for my entire life. And I would argue till I am out of breath that there is no better way to listen recorded music.
Fountain pens are traveling along with other “things of the past”. I never realized what world I was stumbling into when I watched my first video with this weirdo named Brian talking to the camera about all this pen stuff. I ordered seven or eight pens from him and started learning. From that day till now, dang, what have I done. Fountain pens are the vinyl album of the writing world. They connect you to the paper in a way that a ballpoint just can’t. The feedback that the pen provides is a real, analog, first hand experience.
2. Preserving handwriting. I believe in the hand written word. I am old enough to remember when writing letters was an every day thing. No cell phones, internet, instant messaging or zooming. My daughters were amazed when I started writing words on paper and the letters were connected to each other. They have not been taught the art of handwriting like I was in school. How are they ever supposed to sign their name? They will forever simply write their name I guess. I have begun teaching them about writing and why it is so important. At this particular point in history, we would not have a history if not for writing.
3. Versatility. The sheer craziness that you enter into when you discover nibs and nib grinds alone is enough to make Sysiphus start to cry. Whether you like writing with an incredibly tiny line, or a gigantic interstate highway of one, there is an option out there. I recently started having nibs ground for some of my personal pens. I don’t think it will be easy to ever stray from a damn good architect grind. Outside of the width of the line, the materials and finishes are amazing. Steel, Gold, Titanium, and that’s not considering plating. And some of the more experimental nibs I’ve seen being produced are amazing!
Just the beauty of a well crafted nib is mind blowing sometimes. Has anyone ever grabbed a loupe to look at a nib and realize you’ve been sitting there for like 10 minutes?
I apologize for the quality of the following pictures. I need to add a couple things to my photography set up.
The rollerball point is a very simple, conical design with a ball in the tip that coats itself in ink as it rolls along inside its seat. I’m definitely not bagging on rollerballs and ballpoints, but I just want to compare this to the next picture.
The Fountain Pen Nib. A finely tuned and crafted work of art. A piece of metal bent, shaped and engraved. Tuned and aligned to actually create a controlled leak.
And as for another point of versatility, INK, enough said.
4. Craftsmanship. I think this is the one part that really drove me to write this blog. You can look through your personal pen collection and see excellent examples of pens. From the traditional Conways, Parkers, and Esties all the way to the innovative designs from Lamy and TWSBI. Excellent Craftsmanship one and all. But being a maker, I am going to focus on handcrafted pens.
I was in my shop the other day, doing what I like least, drilling out pen bodies. I had a thought. I thought, I take a plastic rod, a solid round piece of resin and turn it into something that people use to preserve the art of handwriting, produce beautiful works of art, document their lives through journaling, and share the events of there lives with others through letters and post cards. That thought stopped me for a bit. I just thought about that.
I am new to the maker world, there are many makers out there that have producing beautiful pens for years and years. I am extremely proud of my collection of handmade pens (I’ve got a list folks, if I haven’t sent you my money yet, it’s on its way!). These makers pour their hearts into what they do and it shows through their product. Independent makers produce anything from full resin pens and carefully crafted wooden pens, to ornately embellished pens with gems and handcrafted metal work.
If you haven’t yet, take a few minutes, take your favorite maker’s pen apart. Sit down, grab a magnifier or a loupe and look at it. Looks at the threads that secure the cap, or the section. Those threads are often cut by hand (with a die, but by hand nonetheless). Look at the way the sections are shaped. Those sections are made with a tool held in the makers hands. Look at the expertly fitted clips. Take a minute and just look at the body and cap. Those pieces began as a solid rod of resin, basically a plastic stick (casters, don’t get mad, its just for illustration, haha). The hands of the craftsman made something beautiful and ultimately useful with their vision, heart, and dedication to the craft.