My first pens

[andyl]

So its been a few months since I joined the forum and I thought I would share some of my first efforts with you.
Not the best shapes but just about everything was experimental.
That goes with the photography too.
All the kits are either slimline or streamline.

 

[yorkshireman]

Nowt wrong with them Andrew mate, I'd say that you've made a good start.

 

[fortress]

Some interesting shapes there Andrew, you have expressed yourself, well done. Have you still got the very first one, is it with these?

 

[sammy]

I think you have done very well Andrew, that's a great batch of pens.
George

 

[Pierre]

You know after 12 years of pen making those aren't 3 bad.

My one comment is that on the 1st photo the left most 2 with the bulges might not sell because of the bulges. One of the most important things is that when you make a pen you must try and write with it, if it feels funny or it doesn't feel right then the pen is probably wrong. But when you try it you must also feel for the customer so you must imagine (or in my case suffer) arthritis etc so then you design a pen that fits. Or think that a woman might have very much smaller fingers than a man and so need a much thinner non-shaped outer barrel.

I was lucky early on a few years ago (10 now) , I sent Walter some wood and he happened to make me a nice pen in return with a double 'bump' much like this.



Its the only pen I have never lost and I can still use it after a days woodturning when the hands have lost much of their feeling and won't open properly. No I don't have photo of his pen, its in my pocket if you want one yes I'lltake a photo for the competition, one of these days he might make a good pen turner!!

 

[Penpal]

Great, thanks for sharing Andrew. You will always find a reason to vary and experiment keep doing this mate.

Peter.

 

[Bucks]

They're a bunch of cracking pens there Andrew

 

[Phil Dart]

That's a fine looking collection of pens Andrew, and especially as they are your first attempts. Keep experimenting, and learning, and doing what your doing. They look great.

 

[wm460]

Great looking set of pens Andrew.

 

[woodhacker]

Nothing wrong with those pens bonny lad. Keep it up.

 

[Bill Mooney]

A nice clutch of pens Andrew.

 

[Les ELm]

Nicely done for your first go at it.

Les

 

[Graham_C]

Very nice beginning there Andrew!

 

[Vic Perrin]

A fine set of Pens Andrew for your fist attempt. Keep em coming mate

 

[andyl]

Many thanks guys for the comments. Most appreciated.
Still working on this photography thing. Not my forte unfortunately.
Fortress - the first pen I made was a fancy red slimline which I teamed up with beech. It looked more like a pencil !!
The wife took one look at it, loved it, (I think she was being kind) & promptly stuck it in her handbag. Can't say I've seen much of it since then.

 

[Freck Fraser]

Nothing not to like Andrew, wish my first ones were as good, keep up the good work.

 

[Walter]

I was lucky early on a few years ago (10 now) , I sent Walter some wood and he happened to make me a nice pen in return with a double 'bump' much like this.

Its the only pen I have never lost and I can still use it after a days woodturning when the hands have lost much of their feeling and won't open properly. No I don't have photo of his pen, its in my pocket if you want one yes I'lltake a photo for the competition, one of these days he might make a good pen turner!!

I must admit to basing the design of that pen I sent to Pierre on Bill Mooney's work. I do agree that the shape is important when it comes to actually using the pen. Very nice work for your first pens Andrew.