First custom (kitless/bespoke) pen

[Alchemist]

So, I have ventured into the "custom-custom" pen making world! I don't like "bespoke" or "kitless" because we all make pens and really a custom pen is a custom pen too me. Anyhow, It took a few tries and and some learning.

Materials are :
Body: Alumilite Clear slow with eye candy pigments and Alumilite dyes.

Section: aluminum fitted with an Osprey Fine nib and a Jowo #6 housing

Cap: aluminum with a threaded epoxy finial.

I really can't wait to get into the next one. Better the skills and make beautiful things. This is my first non-kitted pen and I'm in love with the work that goes into them.

The cap gave me the most issues. Mainly because I became overzealous on making the designs. I cut through it so now it looks like a lipstick tube. Oh well!

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[Penchant 4]

Very nice work. Congratulations. The stand is nice work, too.

 

[Curly]

Kicks my first clear into the boonies. Well done.

 

[Jim15]

That's a beauty.

 

[mark james]

That is a beauty. I love the features you chose. Very impressive and I look forward to your future efforts - well done!

 

[Dalecamino]

Very nice! I really like those threads.

 

[its_virgil]

Nice pen. Awsome pen for your first. I actually like the lipstick tube cap.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

 

[Alchemist]

Very nice work. Congratulations. The stand is nice work, too.

Lol thanks! I didn't make the stand. It was a present from a year ago.

 

[Alchemist]

Kicks my first clear into the boonies. Well done.

Thanks!!!

 

[Alchemist]

That's a beauty.

Thanks!!!

 

[Alchemist]

That is a beauty. I love the features you chose. Very impressive and I look forward to your future efforts - well done!

Thank you, Mark!! Appreciate it!

 

[Alchemist]

Very nice! I really like those threads.

Thank you! A little bit of 3-in-1 and a sharp die goes a long way with some patience!!

 

[Alchemist]

Nice pen. Awsome pen for your first. I actually like the lipstick tube cap.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

Thank you, Don! Honestly, it's grown on me.

 

[CjG78]

Really cool pen!! And for a first 'custom' man, very impressive. I like the lipstick ish look

 

[Bryguy]

Wow! That is a beauty!Love the cap.

 

[Ironwood]

Well done David !! That's a fine start to your kitless journey.
I am impressed that you have incorporated the aluminium into your design, I like it.

 

[boatemp]

Nice stuff!! BTW what is the definition of BESPOKE?
thanks

 

[magpens]

Nice stuff!! BTW what is the definition of BESPOKE?
thanks

@boatemp

Dictionary meaning of "bespoke" :-

It is primarily British, and is an adjective, meaning "made for a particular customer or user".

 

[Alchemist]

Really cool pen!! And for a first 'custom' man, very impressive. I like the lipstick ish look

Thanks!

 

[Alchemist]

Wow! That is a beauty!Love the cap.

Thank you! That cap has grown on me

 

[Alchemist]

Well done David !! That's a fine start to your kitless journey.
I am impressed that you have incorporated the aluminium into your design, I like it.

I figured, why not just do something crazy and up my alley? It wasn't difficult. I found it easier than ebonite or other materials, since I have previous experiences with tapping and threading etc.

Next pen will probably incorporate a roll stop or clip… which ever I decide to do when the pen get closer to completion.

And thanks again for your clip tips!

 

[Alchemist]

Nice stuff!! BTW what is the definition of BESPOKE?
thanks

Bespoke is terminology for a "kitless" or custom pen that doesn't use kit parts. I'm not really a fan of the term. Most customers don't even know the term. They just know "custom".

 

[boatemp]

Thanks for the definition

 

[its_virgil]

I do not like the term either nor do I like the term kitless. Here is a definition of bespoke: The word bespoke has evolved from a verb meaning 'to speak for something', to its contemporary usage as an adjective. Originally, the adjective bespoke described tailor-made suits and shoes. Later, it described anything commissioned to a particular specification.

You are suddenly seeing it everywhere because advertisers realized a few years ago that it would appeal to hipsters better than "custom" does, because it sounds more pretentious.

So, if a pen is not made for a specific customer with customer input in the design, materials used etc I would not consider it to be a bespoke pen. But hey, I don't make the rules so don't shoot the messenger.

These "bespoke" pens are extremely nice pens and are fun to make and the process is very rewarding.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

 

[Alchemist]

I do not like the term either nor do I like the term kitless. Here is a definition of bespoke: The word bespoke has evolved from a verb meaning 'to speak for something', to its contemporary usage as an adjective. Originally, the adjective bespoke described tailor-made suits and shoes. Later, it described anything commissioned to a particular specification.

You are suddenly seeing it everywhere because advertisers realized a few years ago that it would appeal to hipsters better than "custom" does, because it sounds more pretentious.

So, if a pen is not made for a specific customer with customer input in the design, materials used etc I would not consider it to be a bespoke pen. But hey, I don't make the rules so don't shoot the messenger.

These "bespoke" pens are extremely nice pens and are fun to make and the process is very rewarding.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

No shots will be fired by me! I completely agree with you! Thanks, Don!

 

[boatemp]

Thanks for the replies

 

[Displaced Canadian]

The pen looks fantastic. I think Tex Durango said it best when he asked, "Why can't we just say we make pens?"