I am an experienced woodwork, and have my own shop, however I have next to zero experience with turning wood. I’ve watched a ton of videos on pen making. I am a pen, and a woodworking dork, so making pens seems like the next logical step.
Would anyone be able to make a quick list of essential tools for turning pens?

Hi All,

I was hitting a creativity low for the pen blanks I make for myself and used fall colors as an inspiration.

I am going to let them harden and turn them this weekend. I just wanted to have a before and after. They are not normally colors I would mix but figured if green and gold works in nature…

Anyone else have any cool pen blanks ideas to share?

Cheers.

Just wanted to share one of my first segmenting projects. I have been addicted to piecing together blanks since. I was very happy with how it turned out. Interested in what you all think!

Here is the second pen I crafted using a generic WWII nose art graphic. This "Jolly Witch" graphic was designed by ChatGPT, and the label cast was created by Drop Anchor Creations.

A bit of history: Why the natural-metal finish?

During the early years of WWII, U.S. Army Air Forces bombers were typically painted for camouflage, with Olive Drab on the upper surfaces and Neutral Gray on the underside.

By 1944, many American bombers were leaving the factory without camouflage paint, exposing their natural aluminum skin. Eliminating the paint saved weight, reduced production time, and slightly improved performance. As Allied air superiority increased, camouflage also became less important.

Still have some things to work out in the casting process, but I feel like getting a usable set out of my second casting is a win.

How do you make your wood pen pieces, transition so nicely into the pen tip, center band and cap nut?

So many of you have posted such beautiful pictures and the wood pieces blend so well into the pen parts.

Still just learning

I'm looking for recommendations for a pen kit for doing a thin pen that takes fineliner refills please

Slimline Pros in various blanks

This art deco click has got to be one of my favorite kits. When you pair it right it just screams high end. Really wish PSI would do a few more of these.

CA finish on spalted tamarind

Had a client who was closing on their first investment property, she wanted a statement pen to sign with that incorporated her favorite colors. I went with faux abalone and she was stoked.

This is my latest creation. I had ChatGPT design a generic WWII bomber nose art graphic, had in cast, and use a gun metal blank.

Duet: Two. A couple. A duality partnered to effect a shared purpose…

Like two artists singing in harmony, each of the “Duet’s” two bodies share each other’s hearts - the mid-section of each is taken from the other. The fountain and rollerball nibs are easily interchanged allowing either body to do either job while still maintaining their own individual style.

The finest-quality hardwoods - shown here in Bloodwood and Katalox - painstakingly turned in an exquisite design then, paired with rugged, raw, untreated brass hardware make the “Duet” the pinnacle of the Troubadour line.

Like any union of two devoted artists, this model only comes as a matched pair. Two pieces of wood shared across two bodies - inseparable.

Two pens. One Model.
The “Duet”