Black Zirconium Puzzle

[btboone]

Here's a pen I've been working on for a while. The pen is made from zirconium metal and gets a dual black and mirror finish in a process that I had to figure out. The black is a ceramic and is very inert. The cap threads are dual lead so that the pattern lines up with alternating pieces no matter how it's put on. The clip is the same material, and looks to line up with the pen as seen from the front. It is laser welded to the body. The section was originally done with a spiral, but could have a hatch pattern if the customer prefers a more subtle look. I had originally designed the pen to have vibrant anodized colors, but the majority of people seeing it prefer the simple and classy black and mirror look. It will have an 18K nib, and accepts cartridges or a converter.

 

[btboone]

Here it is with the cap on.

 

[btboone]

Here's a front view of the clip.

 

[btboone]

Here's a picture of the more subtle section.

 

[el_d]

WOW!! Nicest puzzle I've ever seen.

 

[btboone]

Here was the original concept. It had anodized colors and a clip that extended out of the body when a button on the cap was pressed. It made the cap a bit too long, so I took it out.

 

[spiritwoodturner]

Wow Bruce, unreal pen! I'd sure like to know how you made that one. I reckon your jeweler skills weighed into this pretty heavy, huh?

Dale

 

[mrcook4570]

That is absolutely incredible! The pop out clip is very interesting.

 

[Skye]

Absolutely unreal pen man. Hope to see that one in March!

I like the first section better.

 

[JohnU]

Bruce, OUTSTANDING! You never stop amazing me with your talents. That is one of the nicest pen I have ever seen!

 

[CaptG]

Stunning, just stunning. Awesome work.

 

[OKLAHOMAN]

 

[VisExp]

Wow!!! That is amazing!

 

[nava1uni]

I like it with the colors, as well as, the black and white contrast. You do really beautiful work. Did you do this completely on a metal lathe?

 

[johnnycnc]

Bruce, this is one awesome piece of art!
I think you have pretty much outdone yourself, Sir.:biggrin:

 

[Constant Laubscher]

I don't think it gets better than that. Absolutely awesome.!!!!!
Super Super NICE!!

 

[kirkfranks]

Wow Bruce,
That is just awesome.
I too like the color one, but can also see the point for the B&W.
Both sections look great also.

 

[btboone]

Thanks guys. Cindy, yes, the main parts are done on a computer controlled metal lathe. They all start as solid bar. The clip is made as a cylinder and gets milled on a small computer controlled mill with a rotary axis. I thought the colored version would be much preferred, but my little focus group went almost unanimously toward the black and white! It might be just as well, as the colored version is a huge amount of work. Every piece needs to be exposed individually to the anodizing bath while all other pieces are covered. Every now and then one of those seals will leak by and cause a different color where it's not supposed to be. It can be corrected by reanodizing that piece with a higher voltage.

 

[hunter-27]

Holy Crap!!!!!! Could not think of anything else.

 

[pipecrafter]

Holy Cramoly!!!

 

[papaturner]

That has to be THE best pen ever posted here. Awesome work, it shows you are not just an excellent craftsman but an artist as well.

 

[rjwolfe3]

Wow, now there is a $10,000 pen if I ever saw one.

 

[PaulDoug]

1 Lathe and pen making supplies for sale, I just give up, that is too cool! I like both the colored ones and the non colored.

 

[rdunn12]

WOW!AWESOME!That is the coolest pen I have ever seen!I quit,you win.

 

[PenAffair]

*falls of his chair*

Certainly takes things to a new height. Makes my efforts in wood look pretty poor. Great job.

Russell.

 

[chriselle]

Thanks Bruce. In an instant you have rendered my penmaking....mundane. :wink:

 

[soccer2010]

unbelievable !!!

 

[laserturner]

Amazing job Bruce. I love the clip idea. Nicest I've seen as well.

 

[alphageek]

Holy cow. Talk about a whole 'nother level. Not many pens REQUIRE an 18k nib, but to put anything less on this is almost an insult to the pen.

I'm glad this isn't really a competition.. I'd be like the rest above saying 'i quit'.

THANKS for sharing this.. I really hope you have something lined up with one of the pen magazines too... This series of pics would make a great story.

 

[btboone]

I haven't talked with anyone as of yet. I just completed it today. If anyone has good leads on how to market it, I'm all ears.

 

[LostintheWoods]

Bruce, you could've been just like others of the elite few who occasionally post a pen which RAISES THE BAR. BUT NO-----You stand there, HOLDING THE DOOR OF THE BAR WIDE OPEN, so that the rest of us can walk on in and drown in our own mediocrity! Absolutely astounding design and artistic expression. This, I think, is your best effort yet!

 

[chriselle]

I haven't talked with anyone as of yet. I just completed it today. If anyone has good leads on how to market it, I'm all ears.

Well, you know........I DO have this wee, little pen store....lol.

 

[arjudy]

Absolutely fantastic!!!

 

[PenWorks]

If anyone has good leads on how to market it, I'm all ears.

Put it on Ebay with no reserve so I can bid :biggrin:

Over the top as ussual Simply stunning

 

[Skye]

I'll agree with the group on going with the non-colored one. The first one has a much more refined, timelessly styled look.

 

[edman2]

Artistry at the highest level! I do agree with your focus group. The simple black and mirror finish says "elegance." Out of sight!

 

[LEAP]

Now That is a Hall of Famer for sure!
Stunning job Bruce, I stand in AWE!

 

[ldb2000]

Totaly Awesome !!!!!!!

 

[lwalden]

Holy smokes....that is, uh, intimidating? Over the top? Drool-worthy? Inspiring? All of these as well as what has already been posted?

You 'da MAN!!!

 

[chigdon]

I had the great pleasure of seeing this pen this afternoon hot off the presses and it is amazing. I have grown to expect this from Bruce's pens but that doesn't change just how amazing his pens are. This one is just great. Nice work as always Bruce!