My first kitless Pen!

[BradG]

Well, here's my first pen after crossing the kitless bridge

Etched from brass, closed body and lid, and as you can see no clip.

Ive left this one looking very bare intentionally. some may feel it looks unfinished, but for me, it shows me the result of my recent success of etching, without hiding the work with resin. The bare brass shows me the foundation of what i can plate gold or chrome.

This pen is more of a piece which will sit in the middle of my collection of etched pens, being an example of what lays beneith the plating and resins of the rest of the pens in the collection. So as people asks how was that done? I can show them this pen. bit of a trophy pen for me as well i guess

and as always, Thanks for looking

 

[Russknan]

Very, very cool!
Perhaps it's just me, but as I look at your magnificent construction, can swear I hear Tina Turner in the background singing "Thunder Dome"!

 

[mbroberg]

Very cool process!

 

[Dalecamino]

Congratulations on your first kitless pen Brad. Now.....I believe I like it as it is, without the resin fill. That's just my opinion. Actually, I like everything about the pen. Nice work :wink:

 

[switch62]

Brad, there's hope for you yet in becoming a master pen maker :smile-big:

Seriously though, the stuff you are doing with pens is amazing. I love all the pens you've done so far. I love this pen too, great stuff.

TonyO

P.S. One day I hope to be as good as you.
:worship::worship::worship:

 

[Brooks803]

I like it just the way it is Brad. I'm lovin the "rustic" look.

 

[ancwoodturnings]

Those are so awesome!!

 

[Tortoise]

I love this! It has an historical artifact look, like it could have been found in an archaeological dig. Just too cool!

 

[AKPenTurner]

Looks good! Looking forward to your future work!

 

[nava1uni]

That is a great looking pen. You should be proud of your work.

 

[BradG]

Thanks for all the comments guys has a bit of a Roman feel to it to me. Learned alot from this one with how to go about turning a kitless. Needless to say theres room for improvement in how i go about that but lots of time to reap Chucks, Docs, Stevens, Mikes, Marshalls (and everyone elses i missed) knowledge on the matter :biggrin:

 

[trapper]

Brad thats almost pen porn 'cept that its beautiful how heavy is it?

 

[SDB777]

I can add to the pile of "WOWS"!!!! too, really specail.

How do you access the ink stick(I just didn't see any seams for the threading, but it's there somewhere)....thinking through the nib maybe?


What ink stick can you use in this?


Will the metal turn 'green' like most brass does over time, or did the 'treatment from etching' take care of that?




Scott (wonderfully done) B

 

[BradG]

Brad thats almost pen porn 'cept that its beautiful how heavy is it?

Heavy dont have any scales with me to tell you exactly, but i like a heavy pen regardless.

I can add to the pile of "WOWS"!!!! too, really specail.

How do you access the ink stick(I just didn't see any seams for the threading, but it's there somewhere)....thinking through the nib maybe?


What ink stick can you use in this?


Will the metal turn 'green' like most brass does over time, or did the 'treatment from etching' take care of that?




Scott (wonderfully done) B

Takes the same refills as what the Gents take, the entire nib unscrews at the point where you can see the threads for the lid. I did take a picture of it all unscrewed in sections but the picture came out very yellow so i didnt upload it.

Yes, the brass will tarnish over time, though not so much if the pen is actually being used as the rubbing from your hands will counteract this. They can be treated to prevent it from tarnishing, though i think i may just let nature take its course on this one. Can always just polish it in the future if i change my mind.

 

[cnirenberg]

Brad,
Too cool.

 

[mredburn]

Brad, cool start my friend. You might consider blackening the brass and then pollishing the top surfaces.

 

[BradG]

Thanks Mike
Just been looking at blackening Brass, and i can see that making it pop more as its not jet black. Il have a play. Jus ordered some more vinyl for my next project so may well try it on that one

 

[mredburn]

I have all the chemicals that I need now all I need are some stickers and play time. I need to go revisit your video and verify the ratios. Have you tried multi level etching by removing part of the original stickers and re-etching to achieve different depths?

 

[BradG]

only by accident Mike lol..

Ive made an improvement with the process of using the vinyl.

Clean the piece with alcohol (not rum/whisky.. its a waste.... use isopropanol)

leave a hair dryer on for a few minutes pointing at your workpiece to heat it up.

apply stickers but be careful not to touch the adhesive

with stickers on firmly, pour a pint of boiling water over the pieces. it really bakes the vinyl onto the pieces. Ive not had an edge lift up since, hence the success with brass. Im sure this would work well for steven with stainless too.

 

[mredburn]

Does it shrink the vinyl sticker doing that at all?

 

[BradG]

Does it shrink the vinyl sticker doing that at all?

I wouldnt say it shrinks as the dimensions do not appear to change, and if they do, ive not noticed. It most certainly does tighten though, removing its elasticity. so much so its more difficult to remove than freshly applied vinyl. I suspect the high temp melts the glue on it too really bonding the vinyl onto the surface

 

[bluwolf]

Lookin' good Brad. Still prefer the white to the yellow. But that's just personal preference. Well done.

Mike

 

[BradG]

Lookin' good Brad. Still prefer the white to the yellow. But that's just personal preference. Well done.

Mike

Indeed, bring on the chrome!

 

[skiprat]

Looking good there Brad !!
Overall, I love it, but for me the narrowing of the grip section doesn't work for me. I think the grooves would have sufficed.
I think the variations and possible designs with these processes you've kindly shown us are mind boggingly endless.:biggrin:
I wish I had time to play. :frown:

 

[polarbear]

Really nice.

 

[BradG]

Looking good there Brad !!
Overall, I love it, but for me the narrowing of the grip section doesn't work for me. I think the grooves would have sufficed.
I think the variations and possible designs with these processes you've kindly shown us are mind boggingly endless.:biggrin:
I wish I had time to play. :frown:

I agree, it looks tacky. I was trying to copy the profile on a hent kit but regretted it afterwards.. C'est la vie... i successfully ruled out one way i dont like