Cigar Style Origins

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egnald

egnald

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Although the Cigar Style kit has been adapted by many companies and is sold under many different names, Big Ben, Cuban, etc., does anyone know where the original Cigar pen came from? I am guessing that it was an early design by Berea as references can be found for "B" sized mandrel bushings, pretty much a Berea trademark. Any information on it's origins would be greatly appreciated. - Thanks, Dave
 
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That would be nice to know. I would like to know who invented the first kit pen?? And what was it called and looked like. Not sure why my mind goes to the basic Sierra kit but could be the slimline. How do we go about starting a fact finding crusade. Would be an interesting journey. Easy to find out who made first pens but kits who knows. Amazing what you can find on this site. Example

https://www.penturners.org/threads/who-invented-the-pen-kit.157124/#:~:text="Sometime around 1989, Craft Supplies Ltd. in the,States by Dale Nish and Craft Supplies USA."

More info

https://www.britannica.com/technology/pen-writing-implement
 
egnald said:
Although the Cigar Style kit has been adapted by many companies and is sold under many different names, Big Ben, Cuban, etc., does anyone know where the original Cigar pen came from? I am guessing that it was an early design by Berea as references can be found for "B" sized mandrel bushings, pretty much a Berea trademark. Any information on it's origins would be greatly appreciated. - Thanks, Dave
Click to expand...

David,

I wonder if Ed Brown would have some insight?
 
This doesn't talk about cigar pens, but it talks about the players in the early game:

Some history on pen turning?

I was wondering if some of the old timers could help with some info. When did the first pen kits come out? Does anyone have one of those pioneering pens to post a pic of? Just looking for a bit of history on our craft.
www.penturners.org
 
The original Cigar was made by a single person company called Woodcrafters of Oklahoma (WCO), the letters remain in the name, used by Berea. I don't recall the gentleman's name, but he died a couple years after introducing the kit.
 
ed4copies said:
The original Cigar was made by a single person company called Woodcrafters of Oklahoma (WCO), the letters remain in the name, used by Berea. I don't recall the gentleman's name, but he died a couple years after introducing the kit.
Click to expand...
Informative, and a little sad. Such a wonderful design.
 
A cigar kit was the second pen I ever made way back in 1999, and is one of my favorite kits to this day. I have made dozens of them, from all of the different manufacturers. I prefer big fat pens, and the cigar is certainly that.
 

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The Cigar is one of my of my favorite kits. I also use the internals for the .50 cal conversion pens I make. Thanks Ed for the history.
 
I was able to locate this article from 1997 (you can find anything on the internet!!):

From "The Oklahoman" publication:

Woodcrafters of Oklahoma is expanding its operation with a planned summer move to a 27,000-square-foot building in south Oklahoma City.

The company purchased the building at 116 SE 74 - which Evans Furniture formerly owned - for $750,000. Broker David Lee Miller and Al Pons of Pons Management negotiated the transaction.

Woodcrafters is a retail hobby business that caters mainly to wood crafters. The store sells tools, exotic woods and other related items.

The move from a 4,000-square-foot building at 5700 S Western Ave. will follow publication of the company's first national sales catalog which will be available in about 10 days, owner Gary Voorhies said.

Woodcrafters has been in business for two years. The new store will be only the third of its kind in the nation, Voorhies said.



Gary Voorhies is the originator of the Cigar pen.

link to the source: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1997/03/02/woodcrafters-plans-move/62322248007/
 
Also found this, from the same publication:

GARY VOORHIES OBITUARY

Gary G., 60, passed away Monday, June 10, 2002 in Oklahoma City, OK. He was born February 4, 1942 in Oklahoma City, OK to Melvin Oscar and Faye Evelyn (Isaacs) Voorhies. Gary graduated from Capitol Hill High School. He started his career as a traveling salesman for Winnoa Machinery, then went on to retire from A & B Automotive as a sales manager. After retirement, Gary and his wife Gayle started their own business, Woodcrafters of Oklahoma, selling tools for making crafts. In Gary's younger years, he enjoyed building engines for drag cars and was also striving to build the 'perfect engine'. He loved his children and pushed them to achieve excellence in every endeavor. Gary is survived by his wife, Gayle Voorhies of the home; one son, Scott Voorhies of Oklahoma City; one daughter, Yvonne Schilling and husband Michael of Oklahoma City; and one grandchild, Trinity Schilling. He is preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your favorite charity. Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M., Thursday, June 13, 2002 at Crossroads Cathedral Chapel with interment following in Resthaven Memory Gardens. RESTHAVEN FUNERAL HOME S.W. 104TH AT WALKER 691-1661
 
Ed,

Thanks again for the wonderful information. I like to share some of the history behind what I make and since the Cigar and Caballero are some of my favorite kits, the information you have provided about Gary and Smitty have made it very easy.

Thanks again,
Dave
 

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Got my Big Ben Click Pen starter kit on Tues and turned all 4 on Thursday. Very smooth Schmidt click action. They feel good in my hand. Glad I read the instructions before I started because the cap bushing is smaller than the nib bushing. I probably would have put the small end on the bottom instead of on top.

When assembled, the retracted nib almost extended beyond the nib. I trimmed the circle off the top of the Parker refill and they fully retracted. If it had been just one, I would have suspected I'd cut away too much wood and brass tube when squaring the blank, but all 4 had the same issue. The spring did not fit tightly around the tip of the refill like that instructions said it would. May be some old springs. When you unscrew the nib to put the refill in or change it, the band above the nib is loose and will slide off. Probably should note that in the instructions.

Overall, pleased with the pen. Looks good, feels good, and writes well (with a Schmidt refill). Below is the picture of mine. From left to right Birdseye Pecan, Olive, Blackjack Oak, and Osage Orange.
 

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