Trends in custom fountain pens

[PatrickR]

I follow a handful of other makers on IG but there are a lot of them (maybe as many as there are buyers).
Like most things trends come and go.
Recently I've seen facets being used more often, on custom and factory pens.
Has anyone here noticed other trends that I haven't?

 

[Woodchipper]

Obviously, there had to be a market. I put out one last July. Lady said she wanted it but I had to fix it so the cap wasn't loose. It's still on the shelf.

 

[PatrickR]

It just seemed like all of a sudden there were numbers of makers doing it. Could just be me.

 

[duncsuss]

I made four or five faceted pens about 10 years ago, but none since. I might finish off one that's partially completed, but I don't look forward to all the hand polishing of the facets so unless I get a commission it's likely to remain unfinished.

Other trends? I've seen quite a few translucent pens lately - sometimes called "demonstrators" but that name was coined for the clear pens that salesmen used to demonstrate the inner workings to retail outlets, not intended for sale to end users. As with a lot of names that once had a specific meaning, the word is now used for anything clear. I've made a couple - again, there is a lot of work to polish them, and I add an upcharge to cover the extra time spent.

 

[PatrickR]

I have also noticed more demonstrator pens recently. Some better done than others. Some makers are drilling the cap and barrel without steps, making polishing easier and faster. I don't make them myself.
Just the other day I saw a demonstrator that was also faceted. It was very well done. Facets aren't bad if the barrel & cap aren't tapered.

 

[hooked]

In addition to more demonstrators, I feel makers are experimenting with different filling systems to differentiate their work, especially in translucent pens. I notice more people getting into 3-D printing pens. Along with advancements in vapor polishing now becoming available to hobbyists, it is becoming possible for anyone to print demonstrator pens without manual sanding or polishing.

3-D printed filling systems seem to be a goal for some makers. Below is a Kickstarter 3-D printed pen that raised $362K. There have been a couple of small makers doing this kind of thing for a while.

 

[PatrickR]

Interesting. Very modern looking, which for me goes against fountain pens in general but I'm sure they will find a market.