Congressional pens

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
wolf creek knives

wolf creek knives

Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2017
Messages
3,057
Location
Wolf Creek Montana
I was watching some news this morning and a bunch of Senators were signing a document. I noticed that they were each handed a new pen when they signed, which some kept and some returned, and it made me wonder what kind of pen style and blank were used. Also, where do they get them from as they must go through a ton a year based on what I saw. It's kind of like when the President signs an executive order and hands the pen he signed it with to someone gathered around his desk. Just curious and no...I'm not at all interested in making any of them.
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Dalecamino

Dalecamino

Local Chapter Leader
Joined
Jan 2, 2008
Messages
14,572
Location
Indianapolis, In.
I'm not sure, but I believe government has a contracted stationery company that supplies the pens and paper for these things. Such as the fancy shmancy binders the Executive Orders are printed on. Government contracts are supposed to go to the lowest bidder. I have my doubts about that.

Several years ago, one of our members posted a photo of a government official with a pen that was made for him. That was a pretty big deal.

But I don't really know the answer to your question. I just thought it would be fun to say something in your thread. šŸ˜
 
H

hooked

Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2019
Messages
281
Location
Boston
I can say that this is the pen that Ronald Reagan used to sign the Immigration Reform Act in 1986 framed above my desk. Was presented by a Senator to my father-in-law, who helped write the law.
IMG_2851.jpg
IMG_2852.jpg
 
wolf creek knives

wolf creek knives

Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2017
Messages
3,057
Location
Wolf Creek Montana
Dalecamino said:
I'm not sure, but I believe government has a contracted stationery company that supplies the pens and paper for these things. Such as the fancy shmancy binders the Executive Orders are printed on. Government contracts are supposed to go to the lowest bidder. I have my doubts about that.

Several years ago, one of our members posted a photo of a government official with a pen that was made for him. That was a pretty big deal.

But I don't really know the answer to your question. I just thought it would be fun to say something in your thread. šŸ˜
Click to expand...


Wow Chuck. I was hoping you'd come back with you telling me you were the maker:eek:. I agree these are probably not cheap pens but I'd like to know who makes them. Price per each would just be a bonus.
 
moke

moke

Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2009
Messages
1,225
Location
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
I have been around polotics most of my life. I have never been given a presidential pen, but have a Vice Presidential pen and it appears to be a painted Cross. It has his signature on it similar to the Regan pen shown.
 
Dalecamino

Dalecamino

Local Chapter Leader
Joined
Jan 2, 2008
Messages
14,572
Location
Indianapolis, In.
Well I looked it up. Mike is correct. The pens President Biden used on Wednesday were made by Providence - based A.T. Cross company. They are the Cross Century II Rollerball Lacquer coated black. Here you go Tom!

Century II Collection | Cross Pens

Explore the Cross Century II collection and discover the elegance and luxury you desire. Shop Cross Century II pens today!
www.cross.com www.cross.com

$116.00 each!! I'd bet Joe gets a discount for multiple orders. Or Bulk orders. ;)
 
wolf creek knives

wolf creek knives

Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2017
Messages
3,057
Location
Wolf Creek Montana
Dalecamino said:
Well I looked it up. Mike is correct. The pens President Biden used on Wednesday were made by Providence - based A.T. Cross company. They are the Cross Century II Rollerball Lacquer coated black. Here you go Tom!

Century II Collection | Cross Pens

Explore the Cross Century II collection and discover the elegance and luxury you desire. Shop Cross Century II pens today!
www.cross.com www.cross.com

$116.00 each!! I'd bet Joe gets a discount for multiple orders. Or Bulk orders. ;)
Click to expand...
Humongous said:
Cross has been the main supplier for many presidents. Some used the Townsend and as Chuck said Biden uses the Century II. Trump used a plain old Sharpie as his signing pen of choice. Article from CNN a few days ago.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/22/us/pens-biden-executive-order-trnd/index.html
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info Chuck and Ken. It's no wonder so many of the Senators were taking the pens after signing. Can't blame them although I am a tax payer.
 
Amanap

Amanap

Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2020
Messages
150
Location
Plant City, Florida
Sorry but I kind of disagree with using an ordinary, cheap writing instrument. Most of these laws are the result of a lot of hard work and dedication from some passionate people. I see nothing wrong with having a nice pen that played a part in history and would be honored if that pen was something I produced.
 
wolf creek knives

wolf creek knives

Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2017
Messages
3,057
Location
Wolf Creek Montana
Amanap said:
Sorry but I kind of disagree with using an ordinary, cheap writing instrument. Most of these laws are the result of a lot of hard work and dedication from some passionate people. I see nothing wrong with having a nice pen that played a part in history and would be honored if that pen was something I produced.
Click to expand...

Agreed, if YOU produced it. These are assembly line pens pushed out probably by the hundreds if not thousands per day. I'd love to see where these are produced and if the parts are all MADE IN AMERICA. My knives are all made in America but the parts are from many countries outside the USA. But I hope you and I can agree to disagree on the other facts presented on your post
 
Amanap

Amanap

Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2020
Messages
150
Location
Plant City, Florida
wolf creek knives said:
Agreed, if YOU produced it. These are assembly line pens pushed out probably by the hundreds if not thousands per day. I'd love to see where these are produced and if the parts are all MADE IN AMERICA. My knives are all made in America but the parts are from many countries outside the USA. But I hope you and I can agree to disagree on the other facts presented on your post
Click to expand...
We can always agree to disagree and we probably have a lot more in common that what we disagree on. I too believe in America it should be made in America and I do my best to buy local.
 
studioseven

studioseven

Member
Joined
May 6, 2014
Messages
794
Location
Wisconsin
On a serious note, I always was bothered by the number of pens the federal and states use to sign the same document. If it was me I would limit it to one pen per document. The same goes for the first pitch at baseball games. A lot of teams have 5-6 or more first pitches. If you are the second in line, is it really the first pitch?

Seven
 
T

tomtedesco

Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2015
Messages
3,290
Location
Centennial, CO
If my memory serves me (not always) Barry Gross made a pen for the White House several years ago. He may have more info on producing pens for president.
 
moke

moke

Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2009
Messages
1,225
Location
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
A good friend of mine worked in the Vice President's office quite a while ago. Bush and Quayle when the were the VP. They handed out these "Cross" style pens and tie bars to the "Whales". If you got one, you were either like me, a friend or relative, or donated 10k or above. I can't remember for sure but it sticks in my head that the Rep party paid for them.

I worked for the local Sheriff's Office for a very long time, and when a sitting President made a campaign appearance in our area....(I live in Iowa, we have more political visits than most states) the check that paid us to help with protective services was from the Party of the Politician visiting.
So while we all know there is huge waste within our government, I really don't think this is one of them.
 
Ambidex

Ambidex

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2011
Messages
1,108
Location
Bristol NH 03222
Amanap said:
Sorry but I kind of disagree with using an ordinary, cheap writing instrument. Most of these laws are the result of a lot of hard work and dedication from some passionate people. I see nothing wrong with having a nice pen that played a part in history and would be honored if that pen was something I produced.
Click to expand...
especially if the signatures were put on items that might help the common man, and not pad more pockets....but as long as they say it's for your benefit...must be a fact.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Previous Next
Top Bottom