A dying breed or a growing society

[ataylor]

As the title are we pen turners dying off or a growing family? Me thinks it is slowly dying and also another thought is that the internet is now saturated with sellers of kits etc is this good or bad for them or even us

 

[Scots Bill]

Aye Andy, food for thought. Wonder what the average age of the members is?

 

[GSteer]

Hmm, well I'm a new turner in the last 12 months and am 34 earth years old, I'm sure there are more too.

 

[Phil Dart]

Why do you think it is slowly dying Andy? What makes you say that? I'm not suggesting that you're right or wrong, just interested in your rationale.

 

[chas_41_uk]

Well Ive been turning since February 2014 so slightly over 2 years, and I'm 56, going on 34 :wink:

 

[Gizmo3k]

35 (36 in August) here, turning for 2 years.

It is a nice hobby, completely different to working in IT.

 

[silver]

Been playing at spinning bits a wood in a spinning thingy for a few years now but I am young compared to this lot on here..

I don't believe it is dying I think its growing and growing very quickly as well.

From what I see and completed pens up for sale I also think they are going to become millionaires as well, just like I have done.

 

[edlea]

I seems to me that coming back after a longish lay off the pen turning game is expanding rapidly.

 

[Buckeye]

Been playing at spinning bits a wood in a spinning thingy for a few years now but I am young compared to this lot on here..

I don't believe it is dying I think its growing and growing very quickly as well.

From what I see and completed pens up for sale I also think they are going to become millionaires as well, just like I have done.

Do you still have your Reliant?

Peter

 

[Woody]

I think your opening statement is a contradiction of terms are we dying out , the internet is now saturated with sellers of kits if we are a dying breed then how come the market is growing ? I think your statement answers your question

 

[Jim]

I wouldn't say it was dying, but we do slow down a bit .. Except Woody of course ..

 

[Penpal]

All hobbies are cyclic bit like the Aussie dollar , the price of gold. In the 70,s I was paying 19% interest now its so low cars are being sold with zero interest.

One thing for certain the proliferation you speak of Andy is with us. In this age of the E Bay, Internet dealers over the counter can no longer rely on consistent sales because loyalty is the strong factor.

A constant on the forum is the number of questions where is the cheapest place to buy lathes , components etc rarely comparing apples with apples rather missing the complete story.

With wholesaling companies selling direct to customers there is always going to be confusion.

All the best with your decisions mate.

Peter.

 

[Lons]

The number of suppliers seems to be growing not decreasing which is probably a better indicator. Remember also that not everyone is turning to sell or at least sell outside of family and friends.

 

[Jim]

It is ok with the growing number of suppliers as long as they are selling .. If not you will soon see some disappear .. This is the same in any business ..

 

[Lons]

It is ok with the growing number of suppliers as long as they are selling .. If not you will soon see some disappear .. This is the same in any business ..

That was my point Jim as in the limited time I've been making pens they don't appear to be going under and I guess in a specialist market they would disappear very quickly. I think the real threat to legitimate suppliers are the amateurs chancing their arm on ebay, probably not needing to make much profit as they have other income, same applies to sellers of finished pens of course. I'm sure I saw slimlines on ebay for £7 not long ago.

 

[wm460]

Three pen forums I used to belong to have closed their doors, the IAP has shrunk drastically.
Aussie forum, 8 threads since Les posted his cheap blanks on 1st June, Peter will remember when each there were pages of new threads.
The penshop someone post once in a bluemoon.

 

[Penpal]

Same forum experiences Mark.

Peter.

 

[wm460]

Its not only wood/pen turning, a lot of other forums I have joined have disappeared or very few participants on them.
face book is a culprit.

 

[Winemaker]

You're on as old as the Pen you feel

 

[johnny5]

Turning Pen is
increasing in size
on a daily basis