Fountain Pen Graduation Gift

[wyone]

I posted this in the Fountain pen section as well, but trying to get as much input as possible.

My stepson is graduating next month from High School. He has loved fountain pens for the last couple of years. When I started turning, I took the step and made him one. It was a low cost PSI kit and well it was OK.. and he loved it and carried it forever. I made a slightly better quality one for his Christmas present last year

So I am thinking, I would like to make something special for him for a graduation gift. I know I kept my graduation present from my parents until well, an unfortunate thing last year, so 37 years.

I am looking for suggestions on kits or materials that might be something special for him to keep. Ideally, I would love to create him something like a kitless, but that is way beyond my skill set at this point. I have been turning for about 10 months and used many different material, but still have a lot to learn.

I welcome any ideas/suggestions you might have

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mr Vic]

How about a Sterling Silver Navigator/Baron -Woodcraft/Beartooth Woods. If you want a larger pen you might try the Triton Convertible from Exotic Blanks - Two Pens in one. Hold off for the high en Imperial or such for his college graduation...

Just a thought..

 

[wyone]

Great suggestions.. I am totally clueless about what makes a "good" or "bad" fountain pen, so I value the input.

I was thinking I would use wood for this pen as the first one I made using clay, the second was acrylic. I just have to find the right wood. hmmmm

I like the triton. It seems like a great look. You think Sterling Silver is the best finish for this? The last two pens I made him he carried in his pocket all the time. I am thinking this one he might not, but more of a keepsake.

 

[darrin1200]

A couple of suggestions if you want to nudge yourself towards kitless.

Richard Greenwald carries pre-formed blanks. The are essentially a section, a body insert and a cap insert. Each has been threaded already, but you have to fit them into your pen design. They use triple start cap and I believe the section is threaded for a schmidt nib and feed, which you can also get from him.

Pre-Formed Blanks : Richard L. Greenwald, LLC, Pens, Pens Parts and Photographs

Another option is that can take it over the top is Silver Pen Parts
Silver Pen Parts

He offers kits that he has designed made in solid sterling silver. If you want a litle more custom, he offers individual parts that you can customize your finished look.

Either way, your stepson will have an heirloom that he can pass to one of his children.

 

[wyone]

that is a really interesting idea. I sort of like the idea of a sort of kitless, with someone else helping with the parts I am not skilled or have the tools to do myself.

I have actually looked at the Silver Pens site and they are really awesome, but again, I think that might be more appropriate for College graduation for him.

You have me really thinking about the pre formed blanks now. I would like to have it be something that I created, but have no issues with having someone else do the things I am not capable of.

I love this forum!

 

[Charlie_W]

Mitch, had you given any thought to the Stainless Steel Desire or Eagle fountain pens from Lazerlinez? Being Stainless steel, it too should be a pen he could pass down to his first high school graduate!

 

[wyone]

I have not Charlie, but I will look. I am such a total newbie to fountain pens. I have done exactly 2.. and both for him. I do not know what makes a great one and what makes an average one. I hear talk about the right nib and while i understand what the components are, I am clueless to picking them out.

I do appreciate the input more than you know

 

[timsickels]

Something special

If you can think of something that means a lot to the both of you, you might be able to use that for the wood for the pen. I heard of a man who planted a tree on his son's birthday, and then 17 years later, made a pen/pencil set for graduation from a limb off this tree. Or an old wooden toy that's just laying around. Sentiment is priceless. I have a cutting board made by my son for me from bur-oak lumber harvested from my mom's farm, where I was born. I wouldn't trade it for an ebony one inlaid with gold!