Travis Fry
Member
First, I need to say that I've never made a pen. I have turned some other stuff, but more importantly I know my way around a shop. I make relatively high end custom knives, so I'm no stranger to tools, precision handwork, marketing, etc. I say this at the outset only to say that no common style of pen scares me, and that I am pretty confident I can sell whatever I make. I have done my homework here and elsewhere and am ready to get moving.
I have made a few decisions already regarding my pen turning setup (TBC, etc), am prepared to buy the best tools I actually need and only cry once, and have a pretty clear idea of what market I want to target and certain things I want to avoid. Specifically, I like classic and elegant styles like Gents, Statesman, European, and not a few others, and I HATE ballpoints. I would rather make Other than that, I'm pretty open. I plan to turn both wood and acrylics. I would MUCH rather make $200 pens than $20 pens, and am prepared to use high end components and take my time to make this happen. I'm not thinking of going kitless any time soon, but might eventually.
So here is the question: Given the parameters I've outlined above, which styles should I focus on?
I ask this question for several reasons:
1) I know that most different common designs have different sizes of everything. I'd like to buy the right stuff, but not more than I need to. Compatibilty and crossover in tooling (bushings, etc) is what I'm after.
2) Popularity/saleablity: I know what I like, and I think I know what others would like, but I have little direct firsthand knowledge.
Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.
I have made a few decisions already regarding my pen turning setup (TBC, etc), am prepared to buy the best tools I actually need and only cry once, and have a pretty clear idea of what market I want to target and certain things I want to avoid. Specifically, I like classic and elegant styles like Gents, Statesman, European, and not a few others, and I HATE ballpoints. I would rather make Other than that, I'm pretty open. I plan to turn both wood and acrylics. I would MUCH rather make $200 pens than $20 pens, and am prepared to use high end components and take my time to make this happen. I'm not thinking of going kitless any time soon, but might eventually.
So here is the question: Given the parameters I've outlined above, which styles should I focus on?
I ask this question for several reasons:
1) I know that most different common designs have different sizes of everything. I'd like to buy the right stuff, but not more than I need to. Compatibilty and crossover in tooling (bushings, etc) is what I'm after.
2) Popularity/saleablity: I know what I like, and I think I know what others would like, but I have little direct firsthand knowledge.
Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.
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