Handmade pen? - Overview - Part 1

Why so much variation in the price of a handmade pen ?

When it comes to a handmade pen, it's not simply a case of "you get what you pay for".

Hand made pens are sometimes advertised at a cost of hundreds of dollars, yet inferior to other hand made pens which offers incredible value at $50 or less! As with any item, there will always be those that endeavor to capture that sector of the market which rigidly believe that a higher price always means better quality. Other contributing factors that determine price variation, include the points discussed below.

Who's making your handmade pen?

The rarest category of handmade pen makers are the few who have a passionate interest in their work and every pen they make is a piece of fine art.......

...... these most often include the proportionately few that make their own components and/or create their own barrel materials, and those that skilfully adapt new (most often new old stock) quality components of major manufacturers. Most "hand made pen makers" are people who enjoy wood turning on a lathe. Many wood turners do take a pride in their work, and can turn beautifully finished pens, but a lack of in depth understanding of what makes hand made pens, better pens, often results in the hand made pens they make, being of inferior quality. Wood turners, also often limit their choice of barrel materials to a variety of wood types (understandably), although a growing number now turn pens using mass produced acrylic pen blanks (which they commonly, and inaccurately refer to as "resin" handmade pens). Of course, the maker of your handmade pen (and his or her knowledge and skill set) is the biggest single factor that determines the resulting quality.

Are your handmade pen components solid or plated?

If the external components of the pen are of a solid precious metal, this alone will almost certainly be a good indicator and that this handmade pen is crafted with skill, and will likely last several decades, a lifetime, - or even longer.

If your handmade pen is plated, remember that there are many types of plating available, and although many are similar in terms of appearance, they are certainly not in terms of durability. The types of plating on components commonly used in the making of hand made pens, are discussed in depth in part 3 of this series.

What type of material is used in the barrels of your handmade pen?

The barrels of most "handmade pens" produced by wood turners, are turned from wood or mass produced acrylics.

A growing number of wood turners interested in making "handmade pens", has also meant a growing market for manufacturers and suppliers of various novel materials for use in making a handmade pen, these range from natural materials such as snake skin, and tagua nuts,(- which have a similar appearance to ivory), to shredded currency, colored stabilized corn cobs, and more recently, even printed circuit boards. However, these are most often mass produced, commercial items which shouldn't be misconstrued as being 'creative input' , when assessing the skills of a handmade pen maker.

What's the quality of the components used in your handmade pen?

Are the internal components made of brass or steel, or are they plastic? Many pens are made from plastic components, or a low cost die cast base metal, which are then plated to improve their appearance. The best hand made pens will have internal components made from brass and steel. Plastic parts do not offer long term durability. The use of base metal cast parts in hand made pens is not uncommon, and although they give a handmade pen a nice sturdy, solid feel, they are often so soft that a hand made pen will literally fall apart where friction fit components are pressed together ( very common in lower quality ballpoints).

What's the quality of workmanship of a handmade pen?

Do the pen barrels align with all of the external fittings? Does the pen feel comfortable? Does the mechanism operate smoothly? do the components compliment the barrels? Is the pen beautiful? Is it uniquely individual?

Do you just love this handmade pen?