Wmcullen
Member
I just finished a rewarding/exhausting 2-week trip to Philmont, New Mexico where I staffed an adult Scout training course. At the end of these trainings, I enjoy bringing out a case of pens and inviting everyone who staffed to select one.
The unique gifts are always appreciated but someone always makes a reference to Harry Potter about wizards selecting their wands.
It is interesting to watch people pick the pen based on feel, materials, etc.
After almost all of the staff (19 of them) had picked, a successful and talented carpenter from San Diego brought up what was left and asked me to recommend a pen for him. I groaned on the inside. He's an awesome human being and a good friend, but also a professional woodworker and I kind of wanted to impress him if I could.
Some of the best pens I had were already gone. I suggested a couple and he gave me frank feedback: "That one's too small for my hands", "I don't like the feel on this one", "there's a bit of a gap between the segments on this one." (Dangit, he's right!)
Finally I pulled out one which had not gotten noticed before. It's the only one I've made out of Hawaiian Koa. I mentioned that the wood was a gift from a friend (from this site) and the only one I've made so far.
His eyes lit up as he said, "My wife and I have been thinking about retiring to Hawaii and 'Koa' is my dog's name!" He smiled big and I was relieved we found a good match.
It is interesting watching people pick pens they vibe with.
Now I only have one problem: I need to make a whole bunch more pens to replace the ones that were given out. Yippee!
- Cullen
The unique gifts are always appreciated but someone always makes a reference to Harry Potter about wizards selecting their wands.
It is interesting to watch people pick the pen based on feel, materials, etc.
After almost all of the staff (19 of them) had picked, a successful and talented carpenter from San Diego brought up what was left and asked me to recommend a pen for him. I groaned on the inside. He's an awesome human being and a good friend, but also a professional woodworker and I kind of wanted to impress him if I could.
Some of the best pens I had were already gone. I suggested a couple and he gave me frank feedback: "That one's too small for my hands", "I don't like the feel on this one", "there's a bit of a gap between the segments on this one." (Dangit, he's right!)
Finally I pulled out one which had not gotten noticed before. It's the only one I've made out of Hawaiian Koa. I mentioned that the wood was a gift from a friend (from this site) and the only one I've made so far.
His eyes lit up as he said, "My wife and I have been thinking about retiring to Hawaii and 'Koa' is my dog's name!" He smiled big and I was relieved we found a good match.
It is interesting watching people pick pens they vibe with.
Now I only have one problem: I need to make a whole bunch more pens to replace the ones that were given out. Yippee!
- Cullen
