Atlanta Pen Show

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southernclay

southernclay

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I'm going to try to sneak down to the Atlanta Pen Show on Friday early afternoon but not sure I'll be able to pull it off.

Anyone else going?

This will be my first, not sure what to expect but sure it will be fun. Any suggestions or experience from other pen shows?
 
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Thanks Tony, I have a feeling it will be a one shot deal for me. I don't need much as far as fountain pen ink etc. I make pens so don't need to buy any : ) Just a curiosity more than anything.
 
southernclay said:
Thanks Tony, I have a feeling it will be a one shot deal for me. I don't need much as far as fountain pen ink etc. I make pens so don't need to buy any : ) Just a curiosity more than anything.
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You can buy a vintage Esterbrook for not much more than a good quality fp kit, and you can't turn an Esterbrook.

The kojent and Jr gents have good nibs, but there's nothing quite like writing with a vintage Sheaffer, Parker, or Pelikan.
 
Perry after hearing about your Granddaughter I imagine you'll have way more fun watching her win!

Wayne, I'll try to bring back a good report! : )

Bob funny thing, my main reason for wanting to go is to take a few vintage pens along to find out more about. My Grandmothers. One I haven't identified but one is a Sheaffer Sovereign snorkel. Cool pen and after cleaning it up today I think I've got it back to functioning again! I agree there is something special about a vintage pen, for me with some family history a little more so. I want to see if my Mom wants it back working first. I just don't need to start another habit. My tool and wood collection still needs me haha.
 
You will definitely meet and see some very fine penturning. You will also see that "our" own works ain't so bad. I am glad I attended both years.
 
Fyrpuppy said:
Where is the pen show at? I am up around Chattanooga.
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http://atlantapenshow.com

Here's the website, I was hoping to see a vendor list to see if I knew any of the pen makers. A quick hello would be cool, don't want to block commerce for anyone but always nice to put a quick name with a face.

If anyone goes, do go see Mr Brooks, he's a fine fellow.

If anyone goes Friday let me know, if the stars align I may get to meet up. I'm shooting for close to the opening bell to avoid traffic.
 
stonepecker said:
Brooks803 said:
I'll be there Warren. Stop by my table when you come out!
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Here is one gentleman I am sorry to say I haven't met yet. That alone is worth going to the show.
Someday Jonathon........we will meet.


I so wish I was there.
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Thanks Wayne! I'm sorry I didn't make the meet while you were in atl a little while ago. It'll happen one day.

I don't know who all is going but there will be a handful of kit turners (Barry Gross for example) and a few total custom turners (Newton and myself). It'll be a lot of fun. If you do make it out stop by and say hi.
 
Oh my Jonathon, there will be a dark cloud cast upon you and all those other kit turners. :eek: The forbidden entering into the kingdom of the elite. I hope you survive those evil looks and comments and arrows slung your way. And yet somehow I believe you all will survive:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin: Have a good time and report back to us.
 
edstreet said:
We may be going. Keep in mind that kit pens are highly frowned upon at these shows.
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You know, not to stir up any controversy, but I find the idea of the "Kitless" pen makers to be a little snobbish... unless they make their own tubes, refills, nibs, nib holders, clips and end caps, they have to use some components of a pen kit... I've seen some "kit" pens that were absolutely spectacular (and I've seem some that were a little sloppy), Even Mont Blanc, Cross and the other "high end" pen makers use some form of kits in their production... they couldn't produce 100 pens exactly alike otherwise (my opinion only - no flame required.)
 
Chuck I'm with you. I think anytime we take a hard stance on things it can get a bit dicey. My brother makes knives, he doesn't use kits but he doesn't forge the steel etc. I used to make pottery, made my own glazes but didn't mill my own clay, use a treadle wheel or use a wood fired kiln, pit fire etc. There's skill level in all of it. What cracks me up is someone who's never made a thing that says that something someone else makes isn't good because they did or didn't do _____. People, gotta love em!

I do think there is an elevated skill level to kitless pens, but to me a nice pen is a nice pen. There are many kit pens I've seen I would take over 99 out of 100 kitless.

I am curious if there is a true snobbishness or just lack of interest etc, seems like from all I've heard it's towards the snob side but no personal experience.
 
jttheclockman said:
Oh my Jonathon, there will be a dark cloud cast upon you and all those other kit turners. :eek: The forbidden entering into the kingdom of the elite. I hope you survive those evil looks and comments and arrows slung your way. And yet somehow I believe you all will survive:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin: Have a good time and report back to us.
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Lol...don't worry about me John. I can handle myself. Besides you won't find any kits on my table.
 
TellicoTurning said:
edstreet said:
We may be going. Keep in mind that kit pens are highly frowned upon at these shows.
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You know, not to stir up any controversy, but I find the idea of the "Kitless" pen makers to be a little snobbish... unless they make their own tubes, refills, nibs, nib holders, clips and end caps, they have to use some components of a pen kit... I've seen some "kit" pens that were absolutely spectacular (and I've seem some that were a little sloppy), Even Mont Blanc, Cross and the other "high end" pen makers use some form of kits in their production... they couldn't produce 100 pens exactly alike otherwise (my opinion only - no flame required.)
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I think it may be too easy to fall into the trap of appearing snobbish. Just as some prefer to call them component pens, the parallel would be to refer to "componentless pens", and it all begins to sound a bit silly.

I suspect some are "machinists at heart" and making the whole pen [except for the nib and the fill mechanism] is quite natural. I suppose, too, that those who make many pens and sell them at craft shows, etc., the use of components [kits] is natural and a must.

I find myself somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. Having recently come to pen turning from the marriage of two distinct hobbies: hand tool woodworking and an appreciation of vintage fountain pens. I have made about 30 pens, all but three using domestic hardwoods, and almost all based on the Kojent kit. However, I am not a fan of so much metal on the pens, so I made one successful attempt at a closed-end pen, eliminating the back-end pieces. Next I would like to make one that also eliminates the cap components, including the clip. Of course, this makes it a desk pen. Most vintage pens have a metal band at the bottom of the cap, so it's not necessary to eliminate that, but I wonder if a wood section might be nice. Here one gets into the difficulty of cutting some threads, so it's not something to rush into.

But I don't think this is an attempt to be snobbish.
 
Well I had to make a super quick visit due to time constraints, less than an hour but it was cool.

Saw Brooks and got to meet his lovely bride. Jonathan it's always great to see you and your work. You keep progressing somehow. Amazing as always! I hope you have a great show.

I met Ryan Krusac, he had some awesome pens as well and seems like a great guy to match.

My big expenditure was some chocolate, yum!

I wanted to visit with Indy Pen Dance but they were pretty busy so just breezed through.

It was a way to rushed visit and was a bit overwhelming for a first timer.

Sorry Wayne, no pics buddy, but check out Ryan's site.
http://www.fountainpenstudios.com
 
We spent several hours there today, and I did get to meet Ryan Krusac. He certainly makes beautiful pens, and he was helpful about the choice of quality components, the choice of woods, and was encouraging with his comments regarding my efforts at the craft/hobby.

I did find a nice Aurora Ipsilon that followed me home, but I successfully resisted the Pearl and black Parker that was calling out to me.
 
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