No more kits for me, the last 5 cigars

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Bryguy

Bryguy

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Jun 9, 2013
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Location
New Hampshire
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I just finished my last 5 kits. No more kits for me, kitless fountain pens all the way! In order of appearance. Spalted maple and bog oak, Rhino Earth's Core, Exotic Blanks Poly, Some blue acrylic from China, 6000 year old Irish Bog Oak. I usually use a CA finish on my wood pens, but couldn't bring myself to do that to the bog oak piece. I tried the Myland's sandind sealer followed by Myland's friction polish and then Rennaisance wax and really like the way it came out.
 
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OK, those kit pens look good, but show us more of your Kitless ones; Always great to see them!

Kitless can be less expensive and sure does look better overall, IMO.
 
I am on the other side of the fence with kitless and kit pens. I think kit pens looks 10000% better than most kitless. There are a few members here that have mastered the shape of a nice looking kitless pen but those that round over the top and bottom to me look out of place and show no imagination, and those that leave the bodies overlapping the bottom again need more imagination. Good luck with your adventure to kitless.
 
jttheclockman said:
I am on the other side of the fence with kitless and kit pens. I think kit pens looks 10000% better than most kitless. There are a few members here that have mastered the shape of a nice looking kitless pen but those that round over the top and bottom to me look out of place and show no imagination, and those that leave the bodies overlapping the bottom again need more imagination. Good luck with your adventure to kitless.
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I agree with John.
Unless you have a high end place to sell the kitless pens or plan to give them away, that thought wouldn't work for me as 99.9%of my sales are kit pens. I might sell 1or 2 fountain pens a year and that doesn't justify making kitless fountain pens or kitless rollerballs.
 
I say welcome to the madness. The thing you need the most of with kitless pens is patience and you must enjoy the process. If you get in a hurry the pens will look like it. I've made rollerball pens and posted them and members have said, "Nice kit." The "kit" was a clip, refill, spring, stainless steel bolt and a home cast resin blank. Be daring, once you get something figured out try something new. Not every pen started will make it to a finished product but that's OK. You don't need expensive tools you need courage to try things and patience to see it through. The first click pen I made has a metal bottom section and I turned it with a wood lathe and a file. Don't forget to take notes. they come in handy later.
 
Monty said:
I agree with John.
Unless you have a high end place to sell the kitless pens or plan to give them away, that thought wouldn't work for me as 99.9%of my sales are kit pens. I might sell 1or 2 fountain pens a year and that doesn't justify making kitless fountain pens or kitless rollerballs.
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I 'm not in a rush to sell pens. I just enjoy making them. As long as the cost of supplies is covered by my sales I'm OK with that. (OK so I have a couple of boxes full of pens I've made in my workshop, but they can give them away at my memorial service!)
 
Bryguy said:
I 'm not in a rush to sell pens. I just enjoy making them. As long as the cost of supplies is covered by my sales I'm OK with that. (OK so I have a couple of boxes full of pens I've made in my workshop, but they can give them away at my memorial service!)
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:):):) That is funny because this is what I tell my remaining family. The only problem there is they still will end up with a box full. They could hold my funeral in a phone booth ( many here probably do not even know what that is :))
 
jttheclockman said:
:):):) That is funny because this is what I tell my remaining family. The only problem there is they still will end up with a box full. They could hold my funeral in a phone booth ( many here probably do not even know what that is :))
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Bit cramped JT and what if someone rings mid service???😳

As long as you enjoy the making and result what's the issue with Kitless vs Kits ? Its a journey and enjoy the ride.

If its your sole income that's different but live and let live. I find the work on here inspiring and sometimes feel so moved I try to do similar other times, as they say , it's nice to window shop
 
howsitwork said:
Bit cramped JT and what if someone rings mid service???😳

As long as you enjoy the making and result what's the issue with Kitless vs Kits ? Its a journey and enjoy the ride.

If its your sole income that's different but live and let live. I find the work on here inspiring and sometimes feel so moved I try to do similar other times, as they say , it's nice to window shop
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What ever floats your boat.
 
Bryguy said:
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I just finished my last 5 kits. No more kits for me, kitless fountain pens all the way! In order of appearance. Spalted maple and bog oak, Rhino Earth's Core, Exotic Blanks Poly, Some blue acrylic from China, 6000 year old Irish Bog Oak. I usually use a CA finish on my wood pens, but couldn't bring myself to do that to the bog oak piece. I tried the Myland's sandind sealer followed by Myland's friction polish and then Rennaisance wax and really like the way it came out.
Click to expand...
If you're going kitless then I feel it's necessary to master the art of the "Invisible Clip", a pen without a clip just doesn't look right to me.

Invisible Clips

It is important to note that not all pens are good candidates for the Invisible Clip. Click on the image below to begin download of PDF. Author: Mike Vickery
www.penturners.org
 
rherrell said:
If you're going kitless then I feel it's necessary to master the art of the "Invisible Clip", a pen without a clip just doesn't look right to me.

Invisible Clips

It is important to note that not all pens are good candidates for the Invisible Clip. Click on the image below to begin download of PDF. Author: Mike Vickery
www.penturners.org
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Rick, I agree. and I have been making my own clips. I took a jewelry making class and bought the gear needed to make simple clips out of nickel silver. I'm also doing etched Aluminum caps. Lately I've been talking to real metal smiths about the possibility of collaborations for center and decorative rings and clips.1660732182161.pngDSCF0509.JPG
 
Bryguy said:
I 'm not in a rush to sell pens. I just enjoy making them. As long as the cost of supplies is covered by my sales I'm OK with that. (OK so I have a couple of boxes full of pens I've made in my workshop, but they can give them away at my memorial service!)
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My kitless pen collection is 10% of the kitless pen broken pieces box. Of course they almost never break until you're just about ready to polish 🥴 I will never recover the cost of supplies.
 
JamesC said:
My kitless pen collection is 10% of the kitless pen broken pieces box. Of course they almost never break until you're just about ready to polish 🥴 I will never recover the cost of supplies.
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I've always wondered why pens wait until the last step to fall apart.
 
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