Opinions on using heirloom wood

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Tieflyer

Tieflyer

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Jan 3, 2013
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St. Louis
I have a large chunk from a walnut tree that once stood on my Grandpas farm. This was originally cut and processed over 40 years ago with the intent to make a pair of gun stocks. Since this is the last remaining element of the farm I'd like to do something for my mom, kids and sibs. My pen has already been decided, wife bought me a Wall Street II kit with stylus, granted I'll likely make myself a few. Lol. What would you do for the gifts? Function or fashion? High end or reasonable? Use or display? Guess my only thought would be kits with the most wood showing.
 
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Consider the recipient of the gift. What sort of pen would they like, ballpoint, roller ball, foutain pen. Each will cherish whatever you give them since the "wood" came fro grandpa's farm. You will probably wind up using several different kits for a large family.
 
Since they were going to be gun stocks, why not make bullet casing pens? And perhaps even use spent brass that your Grandpa had fired or from your Grandpa's gun.
 
I agree with gbpens. Would like to add that with the pen being the heirloom, it might be displayed more than carried. It will certainly be a pen that they show off. What would do your Grandpa proud, and go from there as you select the kits. Would think about a nice display type case/box that they can keep it in (presentation box, etc); when they are not out showing it off. Best of luck with your selections.
 
I did something like that for my father in laws family. I made all slimlines so it wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg. I noticed a few carried the pen and some said they only use it at home while others kept it put up. I made the pens that I thought would be a good fit for everyone and let them choose what they wanted to do with it. There were 10 of them.
 
Here's what I have to work with, thanks for the suggestions. Mom wants a working pen, sis prefers fancy for display. My kids (21, twins) have very small hands so slims might be best. Brother will be happy with whatever I make and dad gets one by default. Don't want to hear him whine. Lol! Gramps passed in '84 so there is no brass to even consider. And he wasn't going to make the stocks, a stepson wanted to but did something that ****ed gramps off enough that the log just disappeared one day. Mom has stored it most of my life and I asked her about it a few weeks ago. She's pleased it's finally out if her garage, as is my dad, and I love the snarky story of how this all came to pass.


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Actually the wood is more sentimental wood than an heirloom. It could be made into several pieces that could become heirlooms. But, I shall not split hairs. I have made several pens and other items from similar pieces of sentimental wood and the items have always been a hit. Choose standard pens such as a jr gent, sierra, cigar or similar traditional pens. I think they will be received better than specific theme pens such as bullet pens. Just my opinions.
Good luck,
Do a good turn daily!
Don
 
Personally, I would tend to make them all one style - since you are giving them as a piece of family history relating back to your grandfather - what the pen is made from rather than the pen itself is what's important. I gave something to each of my children with a similar historical bent (their own history) and told them, they could use the pen if they wanted to but the idea was for them to keep it.
 
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