Lizard Skin Homage(s)

[jyreene]

It's been a bit since I've posted. Life has and will continue to be very busy. I've had these done for a bit but haven't gotten around to posting them. For a little background, both nibs are Pelikan M400's. Mine was my first non-steel nib and I do notice it writes more smooth than the steel nibs I have. Even the custom tuned/ground ones (not that those are shabby). I bought one of the nibs for a friends birthday present. Well part of one. The other part was making him a pen out of it using some of my vintage materials, cellulose acetate.

The catch was I he was going to show me how to make my first bulb filler using my Pelikan nib. Also using some of my vintage materials, also , cellulose acetate.

Since the are Pelikan nibs I wanted mine to be similar to the Lizard Skin Pelikan that comes in grey (I know they do have other colors but they are quite rare as far as I can tell.

I learned a ton. How to make a blind cap (though this is basically a large finial. How to make a bulb filler (the tutorial on IAP was obviously spot on for those interested). How to make a non stepped cap to body area (wasn't enough material to do that). And finally, how to make a Pelikan nib into a bulb filler (it's all in the front section and breather tube but after the first failure I was well past my then understanding of how fountain pens work).

So here is a bunch of mine (the green lizard) and a few of my friends (the blue lizard skin). He was not totally happy with the cap so he is remaking it out of Ebonite.

Details of mine (don't have his so I can't measure it):

Threads - 12mm double start
Pen length - 153mm
Cap - 61mm
Body (no nib) - 116mm
Body (with nib) - 137mm
Blind Cap - 43mm
Body Circumference - 45mm
Cap Circumference - 48mm

C&C welcome. This was a fun challenge. Lever fill and piston fill are next (though not likely for 3 or more years).

 

[Jim15]

Those are great.

 

[thewishman]

Time well spent! Those are beautiful!

 

[SteveG]

I "sort of" retired about 2 years ago. Now, after not being very effective at being retired, I am planning to retire again soon. That event will be marked by doing something like what I see here in the fruitage of your efforts. Really nice effort, and an inspiration to me. Aloha!

 

[Brooks803]

Wow...lucky friend! :wink::biggrin:

 

[mark james]

Two beautiful pens Ty. Won't state a preference as I like both!

 

[SteveG]

I have rethought my comment in post #4, and want to correct something. The post reads as if I would just suddenly shift gears, and starting that day making pens like those Ty has posted here. What is a more accurate statement, is that at that point in time, I would START my initial attempts at making kitless works, and with an accumulation of experience, and an abundance of less than memorable efforts, begin to gain the specific skills and design abilities to hopefully produce fine writing instruments such as are presented in this thread. Again, i say: Nice work Ty.

 

[Dai Sensei]

Wow stunningly beautiful pens

 

[jyreene]

Steve, I don't know that I would have joined the kitless realm had I not been stationed so close to Jonathon. He continues to help me immensely. Jump in get first (or head like I do but I've had a lot of head injuries)!

 

[Dale Lynch]

Great pens,that material is mesmorizing.

 

[magpens]

Gorgeous pens !! Congratulations on your craftsmanship !!! .... Where'd ya get them thar clips ? .... or ain't ya telling ? :biggrin:

 

[jyreene]

Gorgeous pens !! Congratulations on your craftsmanship !!! .... Where'd ya get them thar clips ? .... or ain't ya telling ? :biggrin:

No secret there. I found them on "the Google" at Pelikan Pens | Fountain Pens, Ball Pens, Inks and Refills from Niche Pens UK

Not exactly cheap either though.

 

[Mondo]

Sweet!

 

[D.Oliver]

Ty, we're freinds right? And you remember when my birthday is right?:biggrin::tongue:
Awesome pens!

 

[BSea]

Those are really . . . I mean REALLY nice! I like the green color better, but I like the flush look of the blue pen better.

 

[Jim Smith]

Two really beautiful pens! Outstanding job on both of them!

Jim Smith

 

[jyreene]

Ty, we're freinds right? And you remember when my birthday is right?:biggrin::tongue:
Awesome pens!

Of course. But it's not a leap year for a while isn't it?