Coolmint

[ValleyBoy]

Hi pen people

When I first started making pens I used to think it was important to try to "hide my workings", especially when using transparent or semi-transparent materials. I didn't like the fact, for example, that you may see the dark underside of the feed through the thin wall of a pen cap. Or the threads showing where a finial screws into the body etc.

However, having made and sold a few, I have learnt that for the most part people actually like to see this kind of thing. It adds interest and gives them a sense of what's going on inside. I guess that's why demonstrators are so popular. So now I don't worry about it and just focus on making any visible workings as neat as I can.

In this pen, for example, you can see where the finials are screwed ad glued into the cap and barrel and I am fine with it. However I am very careful with the gluing in these cases.

This happens to be one of my favourite colour combos of the pens I've made.

I call it my "DayDreamer" model and it's 13mm can threads and a 15.3mm barrel (tapered). Sterling silver accents and a Jowo no6 nib.

Cheers
Ash

 

[waterbuffalo]

oooh, i do like that...do you make the red bits too?

 

[ValleyBoy]

oooh, i do like that...do you make the red bits too?

Thanks Nigel

I don't cast any of the material in this pen, the red is an Italian acrylic from Beaufort Ink, but I do make the finials themselves yes.

Cheers
Ash

 

[alan morrison]

Yet another cracker, Ash. You keep turning them out to the highest standard.

By the way, I'll be hoping that you beat France on Friday. That will make the last day very interesting, especially if we beat England on Saturday.

Alan

 

[Garno]

That is lovely

 

[flexi]

I too like that combo, just a suggestion but have you tried painting the inside of the holes with an acrylic paint, that would stop the translucency

 

[Bill Mooney]

That is one beautiful pen Ash.

 

[ValleyBoy]

Yet another cracker, Ash. You keep turning them out to the highest standard.

By the way, I'll be hoping that you beat France on Friday. That will make the last day very interesting, especially if we beat England on Saturday.

Alan

Thanks Alan

Whilst I fancy your chances against England more than ours against France, if there is one bet worth having this weekend it’s on Wales. Whilst France will start as firm favourites they never like coming to Cardiff and we do tend to grow into these tournaments.

Anyway I just hope it’s a gripping weekend of action and good luck to your lads at Twickers!

 

[ValleyBoy]

I too like that combo, just a suggestion but have you tried painting the inside of the holes with an acrylic paint, that would stop the translucency

Thanks Mark. I certainly think if using this blank for a kit pen then you’d have to paint the insides, yes. In this case however I don’t think I would because the translucency is really the thing that makes this material in my opinion. It reminds me a little of the glass washed up on beaches, and it glows somewhat when the myths shines through it.

Cheers
Ash