2016 Kitless Pen Contest

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Kitless, no component sets, custom, hand built, pens, call it what you want it all comes down to this. Build a pen with the least amount of pre made parts possible. Crystalize some tree sap into resin, turn down a truck axle, milk an octopus and make a pen.

In addition to the http://www.penturners.org/forum/f70/universal-contest-rules-133052/these are the contest rules.

The Rules

1, It must look like a pen.

2, You may use a fountain nibs, rollerball or ballpoint refills.

3, Materials and methods, you may make the pen out of any material and using any tools at your disposal as long as they are operated by you.

4, The only ready made components you will be allowed to use are,
The clip
The ink delivery system, ie. a refill for the roller ball fountain pen feed assemblies including ink cartridge/ pump/ reservoir/ feed and nib. You must make the front section.

5, The pen must be made by you and only you. However children or grandchildren may be called in for moral support or general encouragement.

6, Only one pen per person, It may not have been entered in any of the other Bash contests. Take the best pictures you can because the quality of your pen will be based on what we can see. Keep your backgrounds and props simple so they do not distract from your pen.

7, A maximum of 3 photos will be allowed along with a brief description of your work.

8, We will keep the entries anonymous through the use of the entry form.

9, The pen must not have been shown before Feb 1 2016 on IAP or any other site. If it is determined that it has been shown elsewhere it will be disqualified and any prize won will be forfeited. As a follow-up to clarify this, do NOT post a photo of your entry ANYWHERE until the contest is over, the polls are finalized and the winners have been announced.

10, Finalists will be judged based on;
Originality of design
Workmanship - The Overall fit and finish. It should be flawless.
Use of material - Composition and originality.
Over all looks – We want the most beautiful pens.
Apparent writing comfort.- Does the pen look comfortable for writing.
Durability- How well does it look like it will hold up to use.

11, All entries will be posted at the same time following the contests deadline. This will give all entries the same time "in the spotlight".

12, A poll or polls will be posted, voted on by the membership. The number of polls will be determined by the number of Entries to narrow down the submissions for final judging and a final poll will be used to determine the winners

Submissions:
Entries will be accepted starting Monday Feb. 1st and all entries are due 11:59 pm PST. Friday February 19th
You must use the entry form that will be provided to submit your pen.
The first poll will be posted on Feb. 20th, either Runoff Polls to determine the finalists, or if limited entries are received the Poll to determine the winner. Polls will be posted and run for 72 hours.
The second set of Polls if needed will be ran at the conclusion of the Elimination Poll(s). It will be posted and run 72 hours at which time the winners will be announced and the poll results made public.

Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places.

1st place ---TBA
2nd place---TBA
3rd place---TBA
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chartle

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4, The only ready made components you will be allowed to use are,
The clip
The ink delivery system, ie. a refill for the roller ball fountain pen feed assemblies including ink cartridge/ pump/ reservoir/ feed and nib. You must make the front section.

If I'm making a fountain pen can I include the cap insert, the part that seals the nib?
 

brownsfn2

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Do you mean the housing that screws into the section? I think the housing is included in "Feed assembly" Not sure though. At least last year you did not need to make the housing for your nib and feed. You did need to make the front section that the housing screwed into.
 

chartle

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Do you mean the housing that screws into the section? I think the housing is included in "Feed assembly" Not sure though. At least last year you did not need to make the housing for your nib and feed. You did need to make the front section that the housing screwed into.

Note I'm not a Fountain Pen Nerd like my son but what I'm talking about is, on fountain pens where the cap doesn't screw on the body, there is a plastic cap that that is fitted into the main cap that seals the nib when the pen is closed so the nib doesn't dry out.
 

mredburn

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They have a small plastic snap cap that is inserted into the main cap. Its used on rollerballs and FPs to keep the ink from drying out. Sometimes it is glued in sometimes a small screw is used to hold it in.
 

chartle

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4, The only ready made components you will be allowed to use are,
The clip
The ink delivery system, ie. a refill for the roller ball fountain pen feed assemblies including ink cartridge/ pump/ reservoir/ feed and nib. You must make the front section.

If I'm making a fountain pen can I include the cap insert, the part that seals the nib?

Since I haven't heard anything I'm calling the sealing cap part of the nib and including it.
 
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I'll have to think about that one. You're talking about a part of making a pen that has had the custom guys scratching their heads for years. O rings have been tried as well as a good friction fit all with varying success. Let me get back to you on that one.
 

chartle

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I'll have to think about that one. You're talking about a part of making a pen that has had the custom guys scratching their heads for years. O rings have been tried as well as a good friction fit all with varying success. Let me get back to you on that one.

In reality if I include it I will be the only one that knows since it's buried in the cap. I would just rather not make a pen that will dry out.

Of course I could include some sort of seal that I make myself but again I will only know about it.
 

chartle

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On second thought I guess I could tap a rubber tree plant and make something to seal it. :)
 

brownsfn2

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Can you post a picture of one? I am struggling to picture what you are talking about. I have not seen a custom pen maker use one. When I was at the Ohio Pen show I did not see any in Edison pens or Bexly pens. Although I may not understand what part you are talking about.

I think most pen makers rely on good threads and a cap that seals to keep the nib from drying out right?

Don't get me wrong here though. Not trying to doubt you just trying to understand what that part is.
 

chartle

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Can you post a picture of one? I am struggling to picture what you are talking about. I have not seen a custom pen maker use one. When I was at the Ohio Pen show I did not see any in Edison pens or Bexly pens. Although I may not understand what part you are talking about.

I think most pen makers rely on good threads and a cap that seals to keep the nib from drying out right?

Don't get me wrong here though. Not trying to doubt you just trying to understand what that part is.

Here is a pen kit that uses one, but it's my understanding that most commercial snap cap fountain pens use one. Its called the nib cap.

https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/docs/artisan_rollerball.pdf

I'm scavenging my parts (the legal ones :)) from an existing pen.
 
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