From resin to finished pen

[jalbert]

I was finally able to get back in the shop after a two or so month hiatus from penmaking, so I did a refresher course in blank/penmaking to get back up to speed. I had a few ideas for blanks I'd been wanting to try, so I poured a few blanks and then made pens from them. All blanks are alumilite, and the pens feature metal parts that I fabricated from stainless steel. The nibs are jowo #6.

 

[Dalecamino]

Awesome pens John! And the blanks are extreme. Very nice work.

 

[GaryMGg]

Those are fabulous looking pens.

 

[mark james]

Well done. I personally like the less translucent blanks. But I'm not a fountain pen users, so it may have its benefits. Beautiful artistry.

 

[johncrane]

Well done all look fantastic! i also luv your threads.

 

[Jim15]

Awesome work.

 

[Chief TomaToe]

As always, I am in awe of your pens! I am a huge fan of the blank casting as well. Those purple ones remind me of the effect you get when you drop ink into water. Exquisite!

 

[Pierre---]

Great pens of course John, I particularly love the starry night blank. The clip on the inky-blue pen, with its sort-of-square end of yours, is great and has a lot of personality.
The other clips, well, they look like testifying "See, I do make my own clips!", but they don't appeal more than any bend metal piece with no real design, and maybe an usual Jr Gent clip would look nicer.
I dare to say that because I love 98% of what you make, so when the 2% comes, I venture to think that maybe you would like to hear it, doing what you want of this absolutely subjective opinion.

 

[jalbert]

Great pens of course John, I particularly love the starry night blank. The clip on the inky-blue pen, with its sort-of-square end of yours, is great and has a lot of personality.
The other clips, well, they look like testifying "See, I do make my own clips!", but they don't appeal more than any bend metal piece with no real design, and maybe an usual Jr Gent clip would look nicer.
I dare to say that because I love 98% of what you make, so when the 2% comes, I venture to think that maybe you would like to hear it, doing what you want of this absolutely subjective opinion.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, and I can't dispute what you may find aesthetically pleasing. I completely disagree with your suggestion that a kit clip such as a jr gent might be better, however. I do make clips partly "just because I can," but more so because I want a clip that is specific to the particular pen in question. Premade clips are not. The finish on premade clips is also an issue, as it would have to match the stainless trim on the rest of the pen, and most all the clips I've seen are plated in some fashion. Thank you for your feedback, but I'm going to have to stick with my methods.

 

[Pierre---]

Thanks for your answer John. I certainly agree with you about the problem of finish on premade clips.

 

[Ironwood]

You just can't beat a metal that doesn't need to be plated.
I love the look of that clip with the flared end.